There’ s a lot to look forward to for Mission Bay Cluster’s six schools – Mission Bay High, Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary, Crown Point Elementary, Pacific Beach Elementary, Pacific Beach Middle and Kate Sessions Elementary – heading into the new school year starting Monday, Aug. 27.
MBHS principal Ernest Remillard said the class of 2023 “is our largest group of ninth graders in a number of years.” He added, the International Baccalaureate Program at Mission Bay “continues to grow, with more students than ever enrolled. We have also added a connection with Mesa College, which will continue to increase the number of college-level courses offered at MBHS.”
Remillard characterized 2018-19 as a “transition year” for MBHS, noting the campus is undertaking a whole site modernization. 
“There will be a number of facility upgrades taking place, including major upgrades to our college, career and technical education classrooms,” Remillard said, noting the high school’s engineering and game design facilities “will be receiving complete make-overs. Air conditioning will also be installed throughout the classrooms on campus and safety upgrades will take place.”
Added Remillard, “Our music and sports programs continue to thrive.”
Dr. Mike McQuary, San Diego Unified School District Board trustee for District C said 2018-19 changes in the Mission Bay Cluster and across the San Diego Unified School District aim “to build on our strong academic success and prepare for the big goals we have ahead.
“Some of the goals we have set include all elementary students reading at grade-level, healthy start times for high school students, and the purest school drinking water system in the nation by 2020.
“Unique to Mission Bay is a cluster-wide emphasis on developing a STEAM/engineering focus via a Blue Technology Curriculum that includes multiple college and career pathways, such as marine biology, oceanography, ship construction, container shipping and international commerce, water sports, fishing, cruise industry and coastal tourism,” McQuary said. Mission Bay Cluster highlights:
• PB Middle modernization continues with a new classroom building following the addition of new fields and a parking lot.
• Plans for the YMCA pool at PBMS are well underway.
• Air conditioning will be installed in all schools.
• Science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) programs are at all schools.
• Barnard has a new name, Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary School, and continues to be the only TK-5 Chinese Mandarin Immersion Program in the district.
The Mission Bay Cluster of Schools will continue to lead the district in being the only cluster that offers all four instructional pathways (International Baccalaureate, music, world language, and STEAM).
Pacific Beach Elementary School principal Denise Goulart said they’re proud to be a STEAM school. “Our TK and kindergarten students will be receiving state-of-the-art maker-spaces in their classrooms,” Goulart said. “New furniture, classroom paint, and engineering resources will be provided for participating classrooms. Kindergarten teachers have been partaking in Project Lead the Way and Lego training, which makes STEAM a part of their daily schedule. This five-year grant will eventually impact all classrooms, allowing each teacher to be trained on hands-on STEAM lessons.”
Added Goulart: “We are proud to welcome Leslee Alvillar and Kaylie Denenberg to our staff. On Aug. 25, PBE will be working with Good Neighbor Gardens, to help revive our school garden and to install irrigation. Parent volunteers will be utilized to help prepare the garden for instructional purposes. PBE hopes to continue growing food that will be served in the school’s cafeteria and be available to the community.” 
“Music opens minds,” is the motto of Crown Point Elementary School, which is a neighborhood magnet school focusing on strong academics through music education. Known for its Junior Music Academy, which opened its doors in 2008, the school features a Suzuki violin program. CPJMA is renowned for its rigorous academics, for bridging the language and cultural gaps, and for its music program that has cultivated students who appreciate the visual and performing arts.