Under Superintendent Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Stockton Unified is celebrating historic graduation rates, literacy gains, expanding career pathways and a renewed promise of equity for every student.

Stockton Unified is celebrating the highest graduation rate in district history, now exceeding 92% — an increase of more than 10 percentage points since Rodriguez joined the district. SUSD is also seeing progress in early literacy and expanding Career Technical Education opportunities.

As Rodriguez welcomed students, families and staff to the new school year, she shared a message that captures both the district’s progress and its vision for the future: Greater Things Yet to Come.

“This theme reflects both our progress and our promise,” Rodriguez says. “It honors how far we have come as a district while looking ahead to the even greater opportunities we will create together for our students, families and staff.”

At the center of Stockton Unified’s work is a fundamental belief: every student deserves access to a world-class education and the opportunity to pursue the future they desire and deserve.

Through its focus on the Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community, the district is working to build a system in which students are seen, supported and inspired to reach their fullest potential. SUSD is actively working to remove barriers, create opportunities, foster a sense of belonging and maintain high expectations for every student.

SUSD leaders are focused not only on ensuring students graduate, but that they are college-, career- and community-ready.

The district continues expanding access to rigorous programs, including Dual Enrollment, Career Technical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, and Ethnic Studies.

Career Technical Education is creating pathways that connect classroom learning with hands-on experiences and future careers. Students can explore their interests and talents while developing skills that can lead to college, certifications, careers and high-paying jobs.

At Stockton Unified, equity is not simply an initiative. It is a promise.

The district’s Equity Promise represents a commitment to ensuring every student has equitable access to a world-class education that prepares them for college, career, and life — regardless of their background or circumstances.

That promise is being woven into the district’s classrooms, programs, culture, and community partnerships.

Through the Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community approach, SUSD is working to remove barriers, create opportunities, foster a sense of belonging, and maintain high expectations for every student.

The accomplishments are worth celebrating. But for Rodriguez and the Stockton Unified community, they are not the finish line.

They are the foundation for what comes next.

Greater Things Yet to Come.

Dr. Michelle Rodriguez has been an educator for more than 30 years and focuses on the whole child, whole family, whole community.