Student talent was showcased at the start of the annual State of the District Breakfast.
Held at the new Terry P. Bradley Educational Center, hundreds were in attendance, including many local politicians such as State Senator Shannon Grove, Assemblymember David Tangipa and County Board Supervisor Nathan Magsig.
Everyone was there to hear Superintendent Dr. Corrine Folmer's presentation on the district's past school year.
"Our number one purpose is our students. That means keeping them at the center of every decision we make, and staying laser focused on helping them achieve their personal best," Folmer said.
Folmer highlighted various student success stories within the district and discussed test scores.
For English, about 69% of students are at or above grade level. Math scores improved 2% year over year, and science scores improved 4% year over year.
"While we are not quite back to the levels of student achievement we saw prior to 2020, as a district, we are close, with more than half of our schools having now surpassed their pre-pandemic achievement levels," Folmer said.
Folmer said the district is on solid financial footing and reserves are strong. The student population has also been growing. This year, enrollment increased by 350 students.
"That's half of an elementary school. Last year, we were the twelfth largest school district in the state, and I wouldn't be surprised to move up on that list this year," Folmer said.
To support that growth, new facilities, such as TBEC, have been built.
It's home to Phillip V. Sanchez Intermediate and the future Clovis South High School.
Following breakfast, everyone moved over to the Student Services building for an official ribbon-cutting.
Before the big moment, Assistant Superintendent for the Clovis South Area Dr. Stephanie Hanks thanked the families of Ambassador Sanchez and Dr. Bradley for their dedication to the district.
"Clovis South High School and Sanchez Intermediate School now serve as their lasting legacy, a physical reminder of those values that they modeled," Hanks said.
TBEC Principal Sonia Terrosian did the honors by officially cutting the ribbon.
The morning wrapped up with student-led tours of the campus.
Construction will continue on the campus through 2028.
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