More than 32,000 Stockton Unified School District students returned to 55 schools on July 30 as the district began the 2026-27 school year focused on sustaining recent academic gains and expanding student support and school safety initiatives.
At Spanos Elementary School in south Stockton, students walked onto campus carrying backpacks nearly as big as they were ahead of the 8 a.m. start of the school day. Some hugged their parents goodbye before entering through the school’s front gate as their parents took photographs.
Stockton Unified was the second San Joaquin County public school district to welcome students back for the new school year. Lodi Unified School District resumed classes on July 24, while Tracy Unified School District is scheduled to begin the 2026-27 school year on Aug. 3.
As parents peeked through the fence to watch their children begin the new school year, Spanos Elementary Principal Sondra Knudsen welcomed students back during a morning assembly on the playground blacktop that included a flag salute and a performance by teachers. She encouraged students to make the most of the school year.
“We are so excited to welcome you back to a new school year,” Knudsen told students. “You are going to make this a great day. I know it.”
Among the staff welcoming students back was physical education teacher Jennifer Mitchell of Linden, who is beginning her 26th year with Stockton Unified and her third year at Spanos Elementary.
Mitchell said both of her parents worked in education, and becoming an educator “just felt like the natural thing to do.” Even after nearly three decades with Stockton Unified, she said the excitement of the first day of school has never worn off.
“I’m always nervous, no matter what,” Mitchell said. “Every first day, I’m nervous. I tell the kids, ‘You’re nervous, and so am I.’ Nervous and excitement. It’s a good nervous.”
Mitchell said one of her favorite parts of teaching physical education is working with every student on campus, from kindergarten through eighth grade.
“I get to work with all the kids K through 8, so I get to know them and build a wonderful rapport,” Mitchell said. “On the first day of school, it’s always exciting to see how the kids are growing just a little bit over the summer.”
The veteran physical education teacher has one simple hope for the new school year.
“To keep the smiles on those kids,” Mitchell said, pointing to a group of smiling students on the playground blacktop. “And just watch them grow and learn.”
District leaders are also hoping to build on recent gains. In a welcome letter to students, families and staff, Stockton Unified Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said the district is entering the school year under the theme “Greater Things Yet to Come.”
The district’s latest data shows its graduation rate rose to 91% in the 2025-26 school year from 88.9% in 2024-25 and 85% in 2023-24.
Early literacy also continued to improve. Districtwide, 40.7% of K-2 students met grade-level reading benchmarks in 2025-26, up from 35.8% in 2024-25 and 16.6% in 2023-24.
Advanced Placement enrollment also grew, with 1,391 students enrolled in 2026, up from 1,150 in 2025 and 961 in 2024.
Career technical education participation increased to 5,166 students in 2026 from 4,923 in 2025 and 4,730 in 2024. The number of students completing career technical education programs also rose to 1,432 in 2026 from 1,155 in 2025 and 988 in 2024.
The number of schools offering arts education to all TK-8 students increased to 25 in the 2025-26 school year from 13 in 2024-25 and eight in 2023-24.
Since Rodriguez took the helm of Stockton Unified in July 2023, the district has invested $19.9 million in campus safety improvements, including updated public address systems, fencing projects and nearly 2,850 security cameras. District data also show chronic absenteeism has declined, though attendance and English learner reclassification remain areas of focus.
Rodriguez said the district’s priorities for the new school year include improving early literacy, sustaining high graduation rates, expanding community schools and student support services, investing in school safety and facilities, increasing access to rigorous academic programs and strengthening communication with families.
“As we begin this new school year, we reaffirm our commitment to listening, learning and leading together,” Rodriguez said. “We will continue to innovate, to elevate student voice and to ensure that every student is prepared for college, career and life, connected to their passions, interests and talents.”
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: First day of school brings excitement to Stockton Unified campuses
Reporting by Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record / The Record
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By Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record | USA TODAY Network
