Profile
WELCOME TO CARLSBAD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
The intertwined roots of the Carlsbad community and its schools hark back to 1872, when “Carlsbad by the Sea” began to burgeon as an agricultural community and resort destination. The original Carlsbad School, pictured here circa 1890, was located on the site of current Pine Avenue Park on Harding Street in the downtown/Barrio area.
As true with many California districts, CUSD boundaries are older than most of the cities that it serves. Today, the District covers approximately 42 square miles, serves a Carlsbad population of over 110,000, as well as the communities of Oceanside and San Marcos. For more information on the Carlsbad Community, check out the City of Carlsbad website.
CUSD is recognized as one of the highest-achieving school districts in the county. Many of our schools have been identified as Distinguished Schools at the federal and state levels.
A major factor for families, as well as businesses planning to relocate to Carlsbad is this excellence in education that has earned our district schools and staff numerous awards and recognition.
We have recently modernized Carlsbad High School, four elementary schools, two middle school campuses, and our brand-new Sage Creek High School, which welcomed the first group of students for the 2013-14 school year.
Our schools are also supported by dedicated teachers, classified and management employees, parent volunteers and leaders, and an assortment of foundations and support groups, all of whom contribute to our success with students.
Mission Statement
We provide every student an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment.
Superintendent’s Department Staff
Benjamin Churchill, Ed.D., Superintendent
Phone: (760) 331-5001
Anne Garcia, Executive Assistant
Phone: (760) 331-5002
Dr. Churchill is a highly respected educator who is proud to serve in his eighth year as Superintendent of the Carlsbad Unified School District. He previously worked in Illinois, serving as an assistant superintendent, principal, and teacher. Ben began his 28-year career in education teaching English in China.
In 2019, Dr. Churchill was the recipient of the Innovative Superintendent of the Year Award from San Diego’s Classroom of the Future Foundation.
In 2021, Dr. Churchill was recognized as a Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), one of only 19 district leaders to be recognized from across the nation.
In 2022, Dr. Churchill was honored as the Superintendent of the Year for San Diego County and Imperial County by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 18.
Under Dr. Churchill’s leadership, the 2018 passage of the community-supported $265M Measure HH school facilities bond is allowing Carlsbad Unified to modernize classrooms as flexible, technology-enhanced learning spaces. Other highlights of Dr. Churchill’s tenure include recognition of Carlsbad as a “Best Community for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation; district awards from the California School Boards Association (Golden Bell Award), the California Department of Education (Green Ribbon Schools Awards and California Distinguished Schools Awards), and the US Department of Education (National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards and National Green Robbon Schools Awards); and recognition of the district as a California Pivotal Practice Award Program winner for innovative practices.
Dr. Churchill serves as an advisory member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as a member and immediate past chair of the Classroom of the Future Foundation Board of Directors, as a member of the California Interscholastic Federation San Diego Section (CIF-SDS) Board of Managers, and as a member and past chair of the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) Board of Governors. He is currently the president of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 18 Greater San Dieguito Charter and serves as ACSA Region 18’s Vice President for Legislative Action.
Dr. Churchill earned his Educational Doctorate from Argosy University, a master’s degree in school leadership from Northeastern Illinois University, a master’s degree in teaching and learning from DePaul University, and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Valparaiso University. Ben, his wife, and their two school-age daughters live in Carlsbad. The family is thrilled to be part of the active community of parents and other committed stakeholders in the district.
Connect with Dr. Churchill on Instagram and Twitter – @SuptChurchill