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Kindergarten through
5
 Truman
Benedict Elementary School sits in the
inland foothills of San Clemente, a community
next to the sea. The foothills surrounding
the school are filling with many new homes,
and a new community is emerging. Our student
population is expected to increase for
the next two years. Benedict was established
in 1988 and named after Truman Benedict,
the first superintendent of Capistrano
Unified School District. He still plays
an important role in San Clemente. Our
school history is a part of the community’s
history. There is a strong link between
the two.
At this time our student population is
approximately 750. Our school staff views
each child as a whole individual, not
only emphasizing academics, but also the
physical, emotional and social aspects
of a child as well.
The academic
portion of our instruction emphasizes problem solving, critical
thinking and basic skills. Teachers provide a state-approved program
of Capistrano’s Reaching for Excellence (CORE) that focuses
on teaching the basic standards of mathematics, reading, grammar
and spelling at each grade level. Technology is also emphasized
across the grade levels. Students have opportunities to visit and
work in our computer lab, which now houses 32 Dell computers donated
by our PTA.
In order to
enhance the creative side of our students, we offer them an opportunity
to broaden their talents in music and the visual arts. Twice each
week a music team comes to the school to instruct in symphony, band
or choral music. A professional art program, Art Masters, inspires
interest in art history and appreciation across the grades.
Our physical
program includes the following: physical education in the classroom,
lunch-time sports, yearly walk/jog-a-thons and Healthy Kids activities.
Our social and emotional programs include opportunities for student
leadership with Student Council, and values instruction with the
Character Counts! program sponsored by the Orange County Sheriff’s
Department. Also, the whole school participates in many charitable
events for our community throughout the year.
Parents are
energetically involved in their children’s education through
membership in the PTA, as school volunteers and through frequent
communication with teachers. Our growing school library inventory
is a direct result of fundraising efforts by the PTA and budget
allocations from the School Improvement Program (SIP). Parents have
formed several booster clubs to support special projects at our
school.
The Science
Booster Club enhances our regular science program by furnishing
supplies and organizing the fifth-grade science camp for one week
at Thousand Pines in our local mountains.
Parents also
serve as advisors on the School Site Council, and a PTA representative
is encouraged to attend staff and leadership team meetings. Cooperation
and a spirit of collaboration means success for Benedict’s
team of students, staff, and parents.
We
are the Benedict Bobcats. Our goal is
to promote students who are successful
in what they do and happy with their efforts.
"Anything is Possible"
• Technology
across the grades
• Accelerated Academic Achievement (AAA) program
• Junior Great Books
• Reading Counts computer program
• YMCA before- and after-school care
• Character Counts program
• Community involvement
• Meet the Masters art program
• Health and fitness programs
• Instrumental and choral music
• After-school enrichment classes
• After-school intervention classes
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