By
March 28, 2011

In 2006, in the face of poor public school performance and the deteriorating quality of public school education in San Juan (PR) Mayor Jorge A. Santini proposed the creation of a San Juan Local Education Agency (LEA) and independent city-based public school system.

Established and approved in 2009 by the territory’s state legislature in Puerto Rico, today San Juan’s independent system boasts two schools; the School of San Juan Bilingual Elementary School and the San Juan School of Sports, which combine to serve 480 students with highly significant academic achievement and results.

As a result of continuous city investment, San Juan schools have been able to accommodate an increased number of students with current year enrollment up 25 percent from 2009-2010, but not enough to accommodate all applications from throughout the city. More than 800 applications were received for the 2010-2011 school year.

Standardized testing in December 2010 demonstrated that over 95 percent of San Juan students rate at or above average in the core subject areas of English, Spanish and Math. San Juan schools have almost 100 percent retention with 100 percent graduation from 9th grade; a 96 percent attendance rate, with 93 percent of students attaining average grades of A and B. In the School of Sports where students are graded on both academics and athletics, students are attaining an 89 percent GPA and 99 percent GPA respectively on average. A major expansion of the San Juan School of Sports is now 55 percent complete and despite the absence to date of federal and state education monies, Santini has created and developed a city-based education system to which he has dedicated a $5 million annual budget.

The city’s schools have been accredited by the state General Council on Education with a performance level of 98 percent. Santini’s long range continuity plan seeks to ensure the viability of the system; including the promotion of legislation that guarantees funding for the system and its permanence while permitting growth and expansion. San Juan has pursued a holistic approach to student education including tools such as English-language instruction for parents and caregivers so they can assist their children with their studies and homework, and monthly parental skills workshops. Parent-Teacher Associations are integral to activities in both schools. The recruitment of high quality teachers and federal funds that complement the city’s investment are also of paramount importance to Santini. “Funding is vital to ensure that our progress continues. Without it we cannot guarantee success,” said Santini.

The San Juan LEA has not yet received reimbursements or matching funds for the city’s investment and expenditures in student education. Classification as an LEA permits the city to receive education funds directly from the federal government. No other municipality in Puerto Rico has created an LEA. “I would like that my colleagues in the state government view this project not as a competition, but rather as a model to be replicated,” said Santini.

Santini seeks to utilize the site of a former college to develop another public education facility. “Without the building’s transfer from the state, the city will have to pay several million dollars; funds that could be used for construction, as the building itself will have to be demolished,” he said.

Additional Bilingual, Special Needs Schools Planned

Santini is currently planning on additional bilingual schools for San Juan, one of which is already in development phase, as well as a specialized bilingual School for Autistic Children to build on programming already provided to children through San Juan’s Program for Autistic Children. The school’s educational offerings will include music, dance, theater and visual arts classes.

The city’s bilingual elementary school has received its third consecutive “Green Flag” and Eco'school designation from the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education. It is the first and only school in the U.S. territory and the wider Caribbean to receive this award. The San Juan School of Sports recently received its first ‘Green Flag’ award from the Foundation.

• $750 million Annual City budget

• $1.7 million budget per school

• 2010-2011 School Year Enrollment: 480 students

• Applicants for 2010-2011 School Year: 800-

• Annual City Investment Per Student: $7,200