Meet Superintendent Christi Barrett, Ph.D.
2022-2023 End-of-the-Year Reflection
Dear HUSD Families,
As we come to the close of another remarkable school year, I want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of you for your unwavering support and dedication. Together, we have achieved incredible milestones and navigated through unprecedented challenges, ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education and support. Your partnership and commitment to our shared mission of fostering academic excellence and personal growth have made this year truly exceptional.
Here are just a few highlights of the remarkable accomplishments we have achieved together this year:
- Our Transportation team saved the day when over 600 students from an Orange County school district were stuck in Big Bear with no way back home. Our bus drivers, possessing the rare licensing necessary to drive in inclement weather, were called upon to bring the kids safely back home.
- Our facilities team utilized Measure X funding to initiate and complete multiple renovation projects, including the Idyllwild Administration building; Hamilton exterior projects and athletic field; Winchester, Little Lake, Ramona, and Whittier modernizations; and air conditioning systems at various HS gymnasiums.
- Over 500 teachers completed LETRS, a specialized literacy training. In support of improving outcomes for all kids, we’ve also doubled the amount of literacy support at all sites this year!
- Elementary literacy proficiency has grown from 16% to 28% of students meeting standards since the 21-22 school year.
- We’ve reduced the number of Second Graders not meeting grade level expectations by 22% since the 21-22 school year and beginning readers have averaged 550 Lexile points of growth this year!
- Sixty-four percent of tested students in Grades 3-12 met or exceeded their expected growth in reading comprehension in the first half of the year and we have doubled the number of American Indian or Alaska Native students reading at grade level across the District.
- The District expanded and began the development of new Career Technical Education pathways, including First Responder, Viticulture, and Water Technology, so that students can explore various career options and gain practical skills and certifications in high-demand industries.
- Our schools maintained rigorous academic programs, including International Baccalaureate (IB), dual language programs, multiple placements in the county mock trial competition, the obtainment of Questbridge scholarships, and a first-place title in the county Academic Decathlon competition. As a result of our rigorous academics, HUSD students have been accepted to top universities and colleges and we look forward to celebrating many of our college-bound students with banners along Florida Street throughout this summer.
- HUSD remained competitive through its athletic programs with many teams winning league and a few, including the Hemet High Girls Soccer and West Valley Girls Swim, winning CIF and becoming the first teams in their school’s history to do so.
- Our teams earned distinguished awards for excellence and innovation, including a Golden Bell Award for Technology Services and a Model Continuation HS award for Alessandro HS.
- The District recruited and retained exceptional staff to serve our students and families through the HUSD Teacher Residency Program with Alder Graduate School.
We firmly believe that education is a collaborative effort that extends beyond the walls of our classrooms. The involvement of families and the support of our community play a vital role in creating a nurturing and enriching learning environment for our students. As we embark on the summer break, I encourage you to take this time to rest, rejuvenate, and create beautiful memories with your loved ones. Enjoy the warmth of the sunshine, explore new adventures, and embrace the joy of learning in every experience. We look forward to welcoming you back in the fall, refreshed and ready for another incredible year of growth and achievement.
On behalf of the entire Hemet Unified School District, I wish you a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer vacation. Thank you for your ongoing partnership, and we are excited to continue our journey together in the upcoming school year.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Dr. Christi Barrett
Superintendent
Biography
In 2016, Dr. Barrett became the first female Superintendent for the Hemet Unified School District (HUSD), serving approximately 22,000 students in 28 schools. Since then, Dr. Barrett has been named Superintendent of the Year two times. In 2019, the Western Riverside Association of School Managers, a regional charter of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), recognized Dr. Barrett as the 2019 Superintendent of the Year. In 2021, Dr. Barrett was selected by ACSA Region 19 as the 2021 Superintendent of the Year and recognized by Claremont Graduate University with an Urban Leadership Alumni Achievement Award. This year, Dr. Barrett was once again recognized by ACSA Region 19 and awarded the 2023 Superintendent of the Year Award. HUSD is very proud that Dr. Barrett is recognized throughout the region and state for her dedication to HUSD students, families, and staff.
Dr. Barrett earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts in 2000 and her Masters in Special Education in 2003, both from the University of California, Riverside. In 2019, she completed her Doctoral program at Claremont Graduate University from the School of Educational Studies in the Urban Leadership program. Dr. Barrett has 19 years of educational experience and before her current role has served as both a regular and special education teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent.
As Superintendent, Dr. Barrett is actively involved in her community. HUSD is one of the largest geographical districts in California, covering over 640 square miles including the communities of Hemet, Anza, Idyllwild, Aguanga, and Winchester. She serves as the Vice President of the Healthy Valley Foundation, a Board Member for the Western Science Center, and is a member of the Hemet Action Group. Dr. Barrett’s involvement in the community is driven by her belief that the important work of educating and supporting the youth of the community is not limited to the boundaries of the District, but it is imperative to the community’s overall success.
Dr. Barrett is a collaborative, innovative leader who has a strong background in instruction, human resources, district operations, and models of continuous improvement. She has presented at several educational conferences in Southern California and has a close working relationship with the National Center for Systemic Improvement through WestEd and the National Institute for School Leadership.
Please follow the Superintendent on Twitter to learn about the amazing opportunities Hemet Unified staff is offering its students.
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