Jose Ortega’s General Education program teaches students to set goals, stay focused, and do their absolute best. A caring community of committed, fully-accredited teachers bring an average of 14 years of teaching experience to the program. Many of those years were spent teaching at Jose Ortega, and many of our teachers began their careers as paraprofessionals (or teaching assistants) at the school.
General Education teachers use a variety of instructional strategies to fit the needs of all students. They are certified in California Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD) and assist English Language Learner (ELL) students in developing English skills. Thirty minutes of targeted instruction is mandated for all ELL students.
On 2007 statewide benchmark tests, Jose Ortega showed the most improvement among all SFUSD fourth-graders, according to the California State Department of Education. This phenomenal improvement translates to a nearly 30% leap in both (English) language arts and mathematics skills from the previous year.
What else distinguishes Jose Ortega’s General Education program?
Since Jose Ortega is a Reading First school, the students receive approximately two and a half hours of (English) language arts instruction daily. Jose Ortega has also modified and strengthened its mathematics program. The school hosts a series of Family Nights designed to encourage full family participation in fun academic games in mathematics, literacy, and science. There is a strong emphasis on daily physical education at all grade levels as well as an active Art in the Classroom program. Last (but not least), every Friday morning the entire school participates in a lively sing-along filled with school spirit and fun.
Jose Ortega School Song
It’s Jose Ortega on the hill we love,
The ocean to the west and the sky above.
Learning together, working hard to be
A caring community for you and me.
Here at Ortega each of us can be
The greatest student you will ever see.
Our teachers will help us and our friends will, too.
Be a friend to me, I’ll be a friend to you.
What are my child’s chances of getting into the General Education program?
They are excellent at Jose Ortega. Use this spreadsheet tool with calculator component to help determine your odds of getting into JOES.
How do I schedule a tour?
An appointment is necessary. Translation services are available upon request. Call (415) 469-4726 for more information.