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Superintendent Dr. Gudiel R. Crosthwaite hosted the Sunnyvale School District’s inaugural State of the District event at Columbia Middle School on October 14, 2025.

Leaders, educators, students, and community partners from across Sunnyvale came together to celebrate achievements, discuss key priorities, and look ahead at the opportunities and challenges that will shape the district’s future. 

“In the three months since I joined the SSD, I have spent a lot of time listening to our amazing staff and students, as well as to many of you who are making things happen here in the Sunnyvale community. We have much to celebrate, as well as some challenges to overcome, as we grow into a world-class school district,” said Superintendent Crosthwaite.

Columbia Middle School 8th-grader Romy Ostolaza talked about the attributes of the District’s Portrait of a Learner — critical thinking, resilience, a growth mindset, healthy mind and body, and effective collaboration in a global society. “Knowing that every teacher and administrator is actively working to give us these essential skills—skills far beyond a textbook—gives me huge confidence in my future,” said Ostolaza.

Sunnyvale School District Board of Education President Bridget Watson thanked the community for their support. “Public education doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It thrives when the whole community treats it as a shared responsibility,” Watson said. “Every time you volunteer, mentor, or simply show up for a school event, you send a powerful, unspoken message to our students: ’You matter, and your education is important’.”

Santiago Lopez, a San Miguel Elementary School fifth-grader, spoke about his experience in the SSD’s Spanish-English dual language program, Juntos. “Because of this program, I am bilingual, and I am really proud of that,” he said. “I know that speaking two languages will help me meet new people, understand new cultures, and have amazing opportunities.”

Alexandra Esperon Flores, an eighth-grader at Sunnyvale Middle School, talked about changes at her school, including new student leadership programs and a new two-story classroom wing.

“There is also a new building at SMS, which makes the environment much more vivid. Every time I walk into the Spartan Village, I feel a community and culture grow and come together. All those communities are a part of SMS's JBK, just be kind spirit.”

The event celebrated District achievements, including:

• Strong community support, evidenced by the passage of recent parcel tax and bond measures to fund more teachers and facilities improvements
• An enhanced bus system that has improved attendance
• Facilities improvements such as the complete modernization and renovation of the entire Ellis Elementary School campus, and the grand opening of the Spartan Village complex at Sunnyvale Middle School
• Improved child nutrition program that includes at least one breakfast and two lunch entrées cooked from scratch daily at each school, fresh produce throughout the week, and expanded vegetarian options

Speakers also noted challenges the District faces:

• Chronic absenteeism more than doubled during the pandemic
• Achievement gaps for Latino students, English Learners (EL), students with disabilities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students
• The District also faces financial challenges, with expenses exceeding general fund revenue starting in the 2024-25 school year

The District is focused on addressing these challenges and is making progress:

• Chronic absenteeism is down 30% from the high point, though it is still elevated for some groups, particularly Latino, Black and Indigenous students
• Reviewing systems and practices to ensure they are providing the resources and supports all students need to thrive academically and emotionally. 
• Through careful planning and budget management the District reduced its deficit this year and expects to shrink it further in each of the next few years

Attendees also enjoyed a performance by Ellis Elementary School’s Cumbia dance group.