February 2026 ACCS - Item 2 Public Comment 7

I am writing the following letter in your consideration in the recertification of Charter Renewal at Baypoint Preparatory Academy - located at 520 E. Carmel Rd. San Marcos, CA.

I feel it is important to share our family’s experience and perspective as you consider their renewal. I have written to several Admins, Board members of SMUSD, SDOE, including Principals and Teachers. All the way down the line, only to be dismissed or told that "their hands are tied."

My son was enrolled at Twin Oaks Elementary School in San Marcos, through 2nd grade. Despite repeated assurances that he would eventually “get it,” his struggles with education continued. We decided to transfer him to Baypoint Prep Academy in 2nd grade, where he remained through 4th grade. It was during his time at BPA that we finally learned he was dyslexic, a discovery that never occurred during his years in public school.

Our trust in BPA was shaken in 4th grade when the school terminated many of its teachers. That decision caused us to believe that if they did not value their teachers, they might not value our children either. Out of concern, we re-enrolled our children back into the public school system.

Unfortunately, what followed was a painful reminder of why we left in the first place. Despite my son’s dyslexia, he was placed in a 50/50 dual immersion program at Twin Oaks, the same school where he had struggled in kindergarten and 1st grade. A 2024/2025 Request to transfer to the next closest school in our neighborhood school was denied.

At Twin Oaks Elementary School, he was left largely on his own during the Spanish portion of the day. He was given a workbook and expected to manage independently. His CAASPP and i-Ready scores reflected the consequences of this approach, showing a negative academic growth. How does a child experience negative growth?

Safety also became a concern. During what students referred to as “Fighting Frenzy February,” there were reports that a child might bring a weapon to school. When this was raised during an IEP meeting, the administration laughed and minimized the situation, telling us it was not as serious as my son described and certainly not as bad as previous years. This response was deeply troubling.

My son is now in middle school and the neglect he experienced during his formative years will follow him for life. I regret removing him from Baypoint Prep Academy. I cannot ignore that BPA identified my son’s learning disability when SMUSD did not.

I originally wrote this email to the SDOE and SMUSD board members on 9/11/25, upon finding that Baypoint Prep Academy's Charter recertification was up for renewal and later denied. At that time neither of my children were enrolled at Baypoint and had no stake in their renewal, only the belief that families should have a choice in their children's education.

This is an update regarding my daughter, who as of December 2025 was still enrolled in Twin Oaks Elementary School, and again was denied a 2025-2026 transfer into the closest neighboring school.

December of 2025, we made the difficult decision to unenroll my youngest daughter from Twin Oaks Elementary School. Over time, I began to see a noticeable decline in her demeanor. Her naturally bright spirit started to fade.

During Family Reading Day at Twin Oaks, I witnessed something that confirmed my concerns. I had never seen my child so withdrawn and unhappy. She shared that her classroom was filled with constant distractions and that she was often assigned the responsibility of overseeing one of the many disrespectful and disruptive students. Instead of being supported, she was being used as classroom management.

Every morning was filled with dread as I was reminded that she "hated" this school.

We were grateful to have the option to enroll her back at Baypoint Prep Academy. We were welcomed with open arms. She was excited to return, happy to see friends and staff. Eager to be in a thriving environment again. I am confident we made the right decision.

Yet again testing revealed another troubling pattern of negative academic growth. How is this acceptable? Yes, she made strides in Spanish in the dual immersion program, but it came at the cost of her English education.

Academic balance should not require sacrificing foundational literacy skills.

I strongly urge the California Department of Education and the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools to approve their charter recertification at Baypoint Preparatory Academy.

Not all children thrive within SMUSD schools. I hope that CDE and ACCS will continue to give families a choice in education.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,
Tara Casiday

Return to February ACCS Meeting Agenda