La Mesa-Spring Valley School District oversees a total of 21 elementary and middle schools and covers 26 square…More miles with an annual budget of $101 million. It offers free pre-school programs at two La Mesa campuses -- La Mesa Dale and Northmont Elementary -- for families who meet income and other eligibility criteria.</p> <p>The La Mesa-Spring Valley Educational Foundation holds an annual Casino Night to raise funds "to help bridge the gap between what would be ideal and  what is real in the classroom by providing funding for special projects, known as mini-grants, to enhance the educational experience."</p>

La Mesa-Spring Valley School District oversees a total of 21 elementary and middle schools and covers 26 square…More miles with an annual budget of $101 million. It offers free pre-school programs at two La Mesa campuses -- La Mesa Dale and Northmont Elementary -- for families who meet income and other eligibility criteria.</p> <p>The La Mesa-Spring Valley Educational Foundation holds an annual Casino Night to raise funds "to help bridge the gap between what would be ideal and  what is real in the classroom by providing funding for special projects, known as mini-grants, to enhance the educational experience."</p>

La Mesa was incorporated by 700-plus citizens on February 16, 1912, growing out of La Mesa Springs. Throughout 2011,…More the city and its La Mesa Centennial Committee will hold events as part of a yearlong countdown. The civic center on Allison Avenue, including La Mesa administrative offices, opened in 1958.</p> <p>City offices now serve a population of about 57,000 residents in a nine-square-mile area between San Diego to the west, El Cajon to the east and Mt. Helix, Casa de Oro and Spring Valley to the south. Money from Proposition D bonds of 2004 provided a new police station, renovated fire station and new La Mesa branch library of the county system.</p> <p>La Mesa is a general law city with a council-manager form of government. The five-member City Council, elected at large, decides policy, and the city manager carries out policy, with help from a 2010-2011 budget of $122.4 million.</p> <p>As the gateway to East County, La Mesa is bisected by three major freeways and two trolley lines, and hosts five trolley stations. Most public schools are in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District or the Grossmont Union High School District. The city manages 14 public parks, and shares some roles with the large Harry Griffen Park on the El Cajon border.</p> <p>La Mesa's crime rate in 2009 was touted as being the lowest since 1967. The city's general plan—a blueprint for growth and development that governs everything from traffic and housing mixes to noise, safety and historic presevation—will be revised in 2011, with citizen feedback welcomed.</p>

Opened in 1961, Monte Vista High School is serves the Spring Valley community. Its students reside from all over East…More County, including La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Rancho San Diego, El Cajon and Spring Valley.</p> <p>Monte Vista is a part of the Grossmont Union High School District. It is the home of the Monarchs. The school colors are crimson and gold. The principal is Randy Montesanto.</p>

The warehouse-like building is the main operations facility for the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and its…More support services, including child nutrition services, transportation, maintenance, operations and facilities.</p> <p>Equipment and repair materials are housed at the facility, and dispatched to any of the district's schools when needed. School buses are also housed in a lot, and maintained and repaired in a giant garage.</p> <p>All deliveries for the district are also first made at the operations center, before being distributed to various schools. Deliveries range from food for the child nutrition programs, books, paper, furniture or any item required or used at the school sites.</p> <p>When payment is required for transportation or child nutrition services, cash or check is accepted on-site. Payments can also be made online with a credit or debit card.</p>

Established in 1949, Casa de Oro Elementary is one of the oldest schools in the La Mesa - Spring Valley School…More District. The school offers an environment that stresses achievement, both in and out of the classroom.</p> <p>Some of the special programs offered at the school include the OASIS reading tudor program, an autism cluster and a Garden Club, of which more than 80 students, teachers and communty volunteers are a part.</p> <p>A California Distinguished School, Casa de Oro's principal is Lisa Conry, who is in her first year at the school after coming from Fletcher Hills.</p>

Since 1955, Spring Valley Middle School has been the primary "middle" school in the Casa de Oro and Spring Valley…More areas, serving almost 1,000 students.</p> <p>In addition to creating an environment of learning, principal Dana Wright stresses the importance of encouraging students to get connected in some way, in these formative years, whether it is through sports, a club, a position of student leadership or through music and the arts.</p> <p>SVMS is a national demonstration school for AVID, an organization that promotes students pursuing higher education. It is one of the only middle schools in San Diego with a marching band. Its student leadership programs help facilitate many events and outreach programs in the community.</p> <p>Located next to the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District Operations Center, the school benefits from a diverse population.</p>

This school prides itself on its parent volunteers as much as its academics. Parents put in 10,000 volunteer…More hours during the 2009-10 academic year, which is about average for Glenn E. Murdock. The school received a recent API score of 918, which was among the highest in the area.</p> <p>Halloween Happenings (with carnival rides, game booths and a cake walk) and Spring Fling for parents involve the community. The school also holds a science and math night. </p> <p>The PTA puts out a monthly newsletter called Mustang News and presents Honorary Service and other awards. The school is named for Glenn E. Murdock, who served for twenty-four years as superintendent of the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. Students are encouraged to wear the school colors (red, white and blue) on Fridays.</p>

With a recent API score of 918, among the highest in the area, this school prides itself on its parent volunteers as…More much as academics.  Parents put in 10,000 volunteer hours last academic year. Halloween Happenings (with carnival rides, game booths and cake walk) and Spring Fling for parents involve the community, and a Science & Math Night is held. </p> <p>The PTA puts out a monthly newsletter called Mustang News and presents Honorary Service and other awards. The school is named for Glenn E. Murdock, who served for 24 years as superintendent of the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. Students are encouraged to wear the school colors — red, white and blue — on Fridays.</p>