Meet the Superintendent
Our Students Deserve the Best…
Welcome to the Downey Unified School District website. As a product of Downey Unified, it is an honor to serve as the Superintendent. I look forward to ensuring that our students continue to receive a top quality education. We, as a District, support the teaching and learning process and believe that the“magic” in education happens in the classroom.
For decades, our schools have enjoyed the reputation of being a part of a renowned school system and have been recognized for our performance. We are working on constantly improving to be the best we can be for the benefit of our students and the Downey community.
Downey Unified is recognized as a state and national leader in the implementation of Career Technical Education (CTE) and Project Lead The Way (PLTW). We are on the cutting edge of the need to prepare students for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) careers. As of 2019, we became one of a small handful of districts implementing PLTW in grades K through 12.
In the past years, thanks to the community support of Measure O, all of our middle school campuses have undergone renovations including state-of-the-art technology and first-rate facilities. We provide a full range of programs for students with individual needs including GATE, AVID and Title I. Our K-8 campuses offer before and afterschool enrichment programs through the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities (DFEO). Feel free to click here for more details about DFEO’s offerings for our Downey Unified students.
As we continue to improve as a district, we continue to keep in mind the needs of our kids because “our Downey Unified students deserve the best!”
On behalf of the Board of Education and our employees, I thank you for your ongoing support of Downey Unified.
Best Wishes,
John A. Garcia, Jr., Ph.D.
Superintendent
Superintendent’s Message
Today’s Horrific Shooting in Texas
Our hearts go out to the victims and families of the horrible incident that took place today on a school campus in Texas. This, sadly like the others, have truly shaken all of us and reminds us to be vigilant.
Horrible tiroteo de hoy en Texas:
Nuestros corazones están con las víctimas y las familias del horrible incidente que tuvo lugar hoy en el campus de una escuela en Texas. Esto, lamentablemente como los demás, realmente nos ha sacudido a todos y nos recuerda que debemos estar atentos.
Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee Seeks Members
The Superintendent is seeking applications from high school students in 10th-12th grade to take part in this unique opportunity.
District Update – March 9, 2022
As we shared on March 1st, we would like to provide an update as it relates to our masking guidelines across the district.
Actualización del Distrito – 3 de marzo de 2022: Como compartimos el 1 de marzo, nos gustaría brindar una actualización en lo que respecta a nuestras pautas de uso de máscaras en todo el distrito.
Superintendent’s Update – January 3, 2022
Please take a few minutes to listen to an update from Superintendent Dr. Garcia.
Actualización del Superintendente – 3 de enero de 2022: Tómese unos minutos para escuchar una actualización del Superintendente Dr. García.
Superintendent’s Message: Incident in Michigan
On behalf of the district, I want to remind our everyone that student and staff safety is our number one priority.
Mensaje del Superintendente: Incidente en Michigan
District Update – August 17, 2021
Take a few minutes to watch a District update from Dr. Garcia following our Special Board of Education meeting.
Actualización del Distrito – 17 de agosto de 2021: Tómese unos minutos para ver una actualización del distrito del Dr. García después de nuestra reunión especial de la Junta de Educación.