TIJERAS CREEK ELEMENTARY

The community of Rancho Santa Margarita welcomed the opening of Tijeras Creek Elementary School in September 2000. Tijeras Creek draws transitional kindergarten through fifth grade students from many communities including Dove Canyon, Coto de Caza, Las Flores and Rancho Santa Margarita.

 

A caring, enthusiastic and experienced staff and principal are dedicated to nurturing each student’s ability to learn and apply basic skills, think critically and creatively, and develop respect for all learners.

 

Capistrano Unified School District’s CORE content and performance standards and California state frameworks provide the educational foundation at Tijeras Creek. Our comprehensive language arts program is integrated throughout all subject areas.

 

All students are also exposed to a balanced mathematics curriculum as well as a comprehensive science program, which includes physical and biological science and hands-on activities. Technology is integrated into all curricular areas. Our students use technology as a tool for thinking, learning, communicating and problem solving. Access to the Internet is available in every classroom.  At Tijeras Creek, our teachers recognize the need to tailor learning environments and practices to create appropriately different learning experiences for students based on individual needs, abilities and interests.

 

Curriculum differentiation provides a way to work with the wide spectrum of learners as they study within the classroom. Teachers employ an array of instructional strategies such as acceleration, independent study, learning centers, enrichment, curriculum compacting and flexible groupings to meet the needs of all our students. The school discipline plan is designed to create a safe and positive learning environment for all students. Our students learn the Attributes of a Scholar to set high behavioral and academic expectations. In addition, students may earn Tijeras Trailblazer Awards daily and receive prizes from weekly drawings at the morning assembly.

 

Our instructional team is committed to applying knowledge of alternative instructional styles and methodologies, growing professionally through staff development and peer support, and implementing research findings from current educational resources. Our staff and principal collaborate with parents and business community members to make Tijeras Creek a learning environment of shared responsibility and decision-making. High expectations are held for all students and staff. Our vision is that all Tijeras Creek students will become contributing members of society empowered with the skills, knowledge and values necessary to meet the challenges of a changing world.