Thurgood Marshall is the 36th school in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. It was established in July, 1999, and is located in the Rolling Hills Ranch community.
The school is named in memory of the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Marshall's legacy includes succesfully fighting for school desegregation and serving as the only African-American on the nation's high court during his nearly 24 year tenure. Marshalls lifelong commitment to equity and diversity make him a role model for all students.
Principal Peter Matz, formerly of Allen/Ann Daly School, has led the school since it opened with both his vision and genuine caring. He ensured local residents played an integral role in the shaping of the school by holding a series of community meetings before the school was even built. He continues to ask for input on the kinds of programs residents want to see implemented and works closely with staff to make Thurgood Marshall Elementary a place were each student can excel and succeed in a safe environment.
Thurgood Marshall Elementary can accomodate up to 750 students. Thanks to districtwide implementation of the Class Size Reduction Program, average teacher-to-student ratio in grades K through three is twenty to one. For grades 4 through 6, the ratio increases to an average of one teacher per thirty-one children.
Thurgood Marshall uses technology as a powerful tool to enhance student learning and to promote productivty and communication. The school library contains a media center with 24 computers and an I-cart with 15 wireless laptops. Each classrooms has a 50" tv/monitor, class microphone system, its own audio/visual equipment, telephone, a listening station, and 1 computer for every ten children. In addition, the school is connected to a local area network, and e-mail addresses for all employees have been established. Both the District and its schools have site home pages that are online.