Dear Albany Community, 
Yesterday, statewide results from last year’s California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) were made public. While the CAASPP is only one measure of student learning, it provides valuable statewide insight into how students are progressing academically.

Overall, Albany Unified students demonstrated steady achievement. In English Language Arts, 77% of students met or exceeded the state standard, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous year. In Mathematics, 68% of students met or exceeded standards, maintaining strong overall performance. As we reflect on these results, our focus remains on ensuring that every student is seen, safe, supported, and challenged. We will continue to build our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) through What I Need (WIN) Time and the use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to ensure that all students receive timely, targeted intervention and enrichment. Our Math Vision Team is working together to define what equitable, rigorous math instruction looks like across all grade levels and ensuring that every student sees themselves as capable of success in mathematics. Just as importantly, we will continue to deepen our partnership with families through open communication, culturally affirming engagement, and a shared commitment to student growth and well-being.

Gill Tract Farm Field Trips
In the 2024-25 school year, a collaboration between Albany teachers and farmer-educators saw over 450 young learners walking from their public school to the Gill Tract Community Farm for a local field trip. Albany students from 15 classrooms were able to visit the Farm and learn about math, ecology, biology, history, and even poetry, while practicing their teamwork skills and building community. Students went home with mint, chamomile, and vegetables to share with their families. Many students came back — bringing their families to the farm stand on Sundays, and volunteering to work on the farm in the summer, even starting a student club at the high school that now provides the Farm with 20 student volunteers. The photo above shows elementary students learning about pollinators from Farmer Aja. The Gill Tract Community Farm is located on 10 acres at the corner of San Pablo and Marin Avenues in Albany. 

Calendar Highlights: 

Please see messages from your school for complete information about events. 

• October 13: Indigenous Peoples’ Day, NO SCHOOL

• October 14: Regular Board Meeting

• October 28: Board Study Session: SPED and Budget

Important Links

• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

• MTSS for Educators and Students

• Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain

Sincerely, 

Sara Stone

Superintendent

Albany Unified School District

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~