Smaller class sizes benefit our children academically and socially.  Research evidence shows that elementary students who are in smaller class sizes are more advanced and do better in school, are more likely to graduate and attend a post-secondary school, and are more confident and assertive in classroom participation behavior in comparison to their peers who attended larger sized classes.

Currently the class-size standards in California are 24 students to 1 teacher for Grades K-3 and 36 students to one teacher for Grades 4-5.  As parents, we want smaller class sizes not only because of the research supporting the benefits, but because we have seen first hand how it impacts the learning and socialization of our children.  Class size reduction is a Foundation priority when we plan our annual budget. We believe that funding class size reduction is the Foundation's single most important contribution to the school.  

Class size reduction comes at the largest financial costs to the Foundation.  As evidenced by the tremendous and continued support from our TPES community, we believe that parents and donors are united in holding this program to be of the most important initiative funded by the Foundation.  Thanks to your contributions the Foundation is able to provide Mr. Solo with supplemental funding to ensure that learning groups at all grade levels are at optimal sizes. 

In addition, this year the Foundation will fund a program to enhance the district-prescribed math program.  Funding will focus on providing the teachers resources, methods and techniques to teach the math program in the most efficient and effective way optimizing how students gain and retain the curriculum.