Del Obispo Elementary, located in the historic city of San Juan Capistrano, reflects the benefits of blending old with new. Our faculty represents experience and new perspectives: we have teachers who have come to Del Obispo and have made it their home away from home.   Del Obispo’s staff of approximately 20 teachers, Principal, Elementary Teaching Assistant Principals and classified staff are part of the larger school community, which includes parents, local support agencies and businesses. Del Obispo is fortunate to have an active PTA and strong family involvement in school activities, as well as a dedicated School Site Council comprised of parents, teachers and staff members. There is a strong volunteer spirit at Del Obispo; we even have several volunteers whose children or grandchildren once attended Del Obispo.

Del Obispo is part of a three school complex, including Kinoshita Elementary and Marco Forster Middle School, fostering collaboration and cross-school connections, including cross-age tutoring and Big Buddy classes. The 37 year-old campus is proudly maintained.   As a part of our Character Education program at Del Obispo, street signs are posted along passageways, including Responsibility Road, Citizenship Way and Caring Lane.  We have posters around our campus reminding students of how to live their life with character.  Our Dragon Awards are based on our Character Traits by trimester.   Our first trimester focus is on Responsibility and Caring.  Our second trimester focus is trustworthy and Respect.  Our last trimester is Citizenship and Fairness. 

At Del Obispo, we believe that all students can and will learn. To this end, we provide early and ongoing in class interventions in reading, math and English language acquisition, as well as enrichment and acceleration for gifted students. Student progress is monitored closely, through the Benchmark Tests from Action Learning, which assesses student achievement in Mathematics and Language Arts based on the state standards.  Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade monitor the students reading skills through the DIBELS assessments. 

Students can be recognized for their accomplishments at our morning flag assembly, where one student is selected to be the Student of the Day and to lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance; at any of our three Dragon Award Assemblies each year where a student is recognized for his/her character trait during the trimester and with Dragon Dollars, which are given to students for good behavior and selected on a weekly basis.

Our school is proud to work with the GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Program).  The City of San Juan, the District Attorney's office, Police Services, the schools in San Juan, and CUSD strive to keep students away from gangs through character building activities and youth curriculum programs taught at the school in 4th grade.  Look for our parent education nights in October and march this year to learn more. 

All of these components work together to create a safe community for learners which builds responsible, adaptable, independent future citizens with strong links to home and community. 

Welcome to Del Obispo!

Mr. Gruenewald