As I step into my fourth year as your superintendent, my heart is full of gratitude, optimism, and renewed energy. Whether your family is returning for another great year or joining PGUSD for the very first time, I extend my warmest welcome to what promises to be a deeply rewarding school year.

 

This year, we remain steadfast in our commitment to cultivating a Culture of We, grounded in our three foundational pillars: Belonging, Safety, and Prosperity. These core values guide every decision we make. I am immensely proud of the meaningful milestones we reached together last year, and as we look to the horizon, we do so with clear purpose—honoring our collective progress while eagerly embracing the opportunities ahead.

 

As in years past, I often return to a central question that drives our leadership: Can our students truly prosper if they don't first feel they belong? That reflection continues to anchor our efforts. Thanks to your partnership and the dedication of our staff, we are seeing tangible transformation across our district—student sense of belonging is rising, instances of racial bullying are declining, and more families report feeling truly seen, heard, and valued. Most importantly, our students are feeling this positive shift firsthand and sharing their experiences with us.  

 

I invite you to take a moment to watch this Welcome Back Video to hear directly from our students as they describe, in their own words, the meaningful culture shifts unfolding across our campuses.    

 

Together, we have made remarkable strides in our cultural responsiveness initiative, and I am inspired by our team's determination to build upon that momentum. In the year ahead, we will move forward with even greater intentionality, deepening our commitment to culturally responsive practices, expanding inclusive learning experiences, and ensuring every child feels safe, cherished, and empowered throughout their educational journey.

 

Our shared success was evident in the incredible achievements of our Class of 2026 graduates. Across our high schools, adult education, and transition programs, 135 remarkable graduates showcased what is possible when community, excellence, and empowerment align. Among those applying to four-year universities, 100% were accepted—securing commitments at top-tier institutions including Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Brown, Georgia Tech, and the University of Edinburgh—while dozens more are pursuing community college transfer pathways, CTE trades, military service, and professional apprenticeships. Their success is accompanied by standout academic growth across the district, including an 85% AP exam pass rate, a 38% AP Scholar distinction rate, and impressive preliminary state testing gains of over 8% in ELA and Science, and 10% in Math.

 

What we are doing is working—and the foundation of this academic momentum is our total commitment to culture and connection. Over the last two years, we have seen a 16% increase in our students' sense of belonging, with 86% reporting that they feel genuinely connected on their campuses. This progress is no accident; it is the direct result of intentional collaboration among our families, educators, and support staff, working as one village to foster a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for every child.

 

As we enter this next chapter, PGUSD remains focused on preparing every student to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. While we celebrate these extraordinary milestones, our work is far from complete. This coming year, we are aiming our focus directly on reaching the remaining 14% of our students so that every single child knows they belong and have a home here. If belonging is a prerequisite for success, this must be our priority—and we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. Together, we will double down on what works: meaningful learning, strong relationships, and deep community partnership, building on this foundation with renewed clarity, passion, and purpose.

 

Throughout the summer months, many of our educators dedicated themselves to professional learning to prepare for the year ahead. At the elementary level, teachers are launching Year 2 of our English Language Arts curriculum (EL Education), with an emphasis on nurturing critical thinkers and empathetic, active citizens. Across all grade levels, our staff will continue strengthening their work within Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to guarantee high-level learning for every student. Additionally, we are redoubling our efforts on a district-wide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to ensure consistent, early identification and tailored interventions whenever a student needs an extra boost to succeed.

 

Simultaneously, our Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation (MOT) team worked tirelessly across all campuses to revitalize and upgrade our facilities. Given the impressive volume of summer projects, a few enhancements remain underway and will wrap up in the coming weeks. We appreciate your grace and understanding as we complete these vital improvements for student safety and comfort—and we hope you take a moment to admire their hard work when you step onto campus next week!

 

Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to expanding pathways for student excellence and keeping our families actively involved. You can look forward to frequent communication, engaging community events, and open dialogue, all designed to strengthen the strong bonds that make PGUSD such a special community.

 

While we take pride in our progress, we recognize that our journey continues. I invite each of you to join me in reaffirming our shared commitment to Belonging, Safety, and Prosperity. Creating a culture rooted in care, trust, and excellence is a continuous collective effort.

 

As the spirit of Ubuntu reminds us: I am because of you, and you are because of me. I invite each of YOU to join us this year as TOGETHER we prove what can be accomplished when we lead with empathy and hold ourselves accountable to the future we are building together. What we are doing is working: let’s keep building on that momentum!

 

It remains the highest honor to serve as your superintendent. Thank you for entrusting us with your children and for your steadfast partnership as we embark on another wonderful school year together.

 

With deep gratitude and excitement,

Dr. Linda Adamson

Superintendent of Schools
Pacific Grove Unified School District
Putting Students First
ladamson@pgusd.org