Dear Coos Bay School District Families and Staff,
As we look ahead to the 2025–26 school year, I want to share the incredible momentum building across the Coos Bay School District. We are entering a new school year with clarity, focus, and a deep commitment to strengthening the instructional core of every school. Our team is laser-focused on solidifying the programs and systems that ensure ALL students have access to great schools—by design, not by luck.
At the elementary level, we are deepening our implementation of the science of reading to build strong foundational literacy for all students. We are also investing in a coherent K-8 math curriculum, enhanced by adaptive math software that personalizes learning for every student. Our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework continues to guide how we identify and respond to both academic and behavioral needs—ensuring students receive timely and targeted support.
At the secondary level, we are advancing proficiency-based learning aligned to standards. Students now have greater access to the AVID curriculum, Advanced Placement courses, dual college credit, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways. These opportunities empower our students to graduate prepared—whether they are enrolled in college, employed in a meaningful career, or enlisted in service.
We are already seeing meaningful results:
*Growth in mathematics achievement across grade levels
*An increase in the number of 8th-grade students enrolled in Algebra 1
*Higher AP and CTE enrollment and expanded course offerings
*Improved passing and graduation rates at the secondary level
*More K–8 students reaching proficiency standards in math and reading
This progress is grounded in our mission:
To know ALL students by name, strengths, and needs—and to ensure ALL students graduate with a plan: Enrolled, Employed, or Enlisted (3Es).
As we prepare for the 2025–26 school year, our focus will sharpen around three essential drivers of improvement: clarity, execution, and accountability.
*Clarity about our systems, expectations, and goals
*Execution of the plans and strategies we’ve designed
*And accountability—to ourselves, to one another, and to the students we serve
We are committed to ensuring every student has access to a great teacher in every classroom and a great principal in every building. We will not leave this to chance—because, in Coos Bay, we believe:
“The students who need the most deserve the best.”
Our work is also anchored in the four principles that define our culture:
1. A culture that embraces collaboration
2. A culture that embraces learning
3. A culture that embraces ownership for results
4. A culture that celebrates successes
These principles shape how we lead, teach, and serve—and how we hold ourselves to a higher standard for student outcomes.
Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and support. Together, we move forward with One Compass—One Crew—One Mission, building a district where every student is known, supported, and prepared to thrive.
With appreciation and pride,
Dr. Justin J. Ainsworth
Superintendent, Coos Bay School District
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