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We Care Week: Start with Hello Spirit Day!

On We Care Day, all Santiago students were given a heart sticker to wear on their sleeves as a symbol of kindness and empathy!

Shout-out to our Santiago Girls Volleyball Team for their first win of the season!  Keep up the hard work and teamwork. Way to go, Turtles!

Congratulations to our Santiago Football Team on their big win! We’re proud of our Turtles—keep up the great work!  Special shout-out to Coaches Rossmann & Puchalski!

Don't forget to wear your college gear every Wednesday!

The production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr. marks the grand finale of Santiago’s 10th anniversary season of exceptional theater arts. 

We thank Board Members Bustos and Magdaleno for recognizing the incredible work of SAUSD Drama at Santiago TK-8, and we appreciate our dedicated staff for bringing 10 years of Disney musical magic to life at our school.

Tiny Turtles Summer Bridge 2026

  Preparing Our Youngest Turtles for a Great Year Ahead

Santiago’s 8th Grade Promotion 2026 ✨May our graduates continue their educational journey with the same excellence and heart they showed in middle school. Their futures are bright, and high school is lucky to have them!

Honoring our 8th Grade Department Award Winners—congratulations on this incredible achievement!

Honoring our 8th Grade Department Award Winners—congratulations on this incredible achievement!

Our talented 5th grade students proudly showcased their musical skills and hard work during the Ensembles Showcase.

Santiago’s Title-waves earned 1st Place in the SAUSD Battle of the Books! Congratulations to our amazing students on this outstanding achievement. We are so proud of their teamwork and love of reading!

Introducing the Speedy Spirit Squad—middle schoolers on a mission to boost school spirit at Santiago!

Our 4th–8th graders explored real-world careers beyond the classroom. Thank you to our incredible presenters for inspiring students and showing what’s possible!

Santiago 2nd & 3rd grade students delivered incredible performances, sharing powerful reminders that “Character Matters” through their confidence and heart.

Honoring Our 6th & 7th Grade Track Stars

Thank you to our volunteers, staff, and community members for making Read Across America Week at Santiago a success.

Santiago’s 5th Grade Yearbook Signing Party! We clapped in our 5th grade students as they celebrated with friends and said goodbye to their elementary school years

Santiago celebrated April’s PBIS Assembly, recognizing Student of the Month, CARE Club art participants, Hide the Snowman winners, and Teacher & Student Spirit Games.

Successful Elementary Trimester Awards! Congratulations to all students who received awards this trimester — pictured or not pictured! We are proud of all your hard work and achievements this year.

 

Congratulations to all Santiago CARE Club Art Show Winners! We are proud of your creativity and hard work—well done!

Our students practiced being Ready, Responsible & Respectful through fun PBIS activities around campus.

Speedy Has Been Busy Getting Santiago Ready for an Amazing School Year!

A perfect finale to our 10-Year Disney Musicals in Schools, with Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua in attendance—thank you for supporting our students for the past ten years!

Celebrating 10 years of Disney Musicals in Schools at Santiago with Alice in Wonderland Jr.—a spectacular show and outstanding student performances enjoyed by all!

Ten years of Disney Musicals in Schools at Santiago is a milestone made possible by the dedication and teamwork of Mrs. Curiel, Mr. Santana, Mrs. Rivera, and Ms. Winant. Their passion and leadership have helped the program flourish, creating unforgettable experiences and lasting opportunities for our students and school community,

We proudly celebrate Denisse Ramirez, Nutrition Services Lead at Santiago Elementary School, as our SAUSD 2026 Classified School Employee of the Year! Thank you for all you do for our students and community.

Santiago AVID students visited Suavecito headquarters and learned about entrepreneurship, hard work, perseverance, and pursuing their passions.

Santiago band performing

Santiago Band performed at the College and Career Resource Fair at Santa Ana College. Thank you, Mr. Ortiz and students, for your participation.

UCLA College Tour

Our 7th graders joined @mendezmustangs for a UCLA college tour—an inspiring day to dream big and plan for the future!

Santiago kicks off its 10th anniversary show season with the advanced drama presentation of Grease: School Edition! The performance was full of energy and talent, marking a memorable start to this milestone anniversary year.

Fall Parent Night
Parent night makeing masks

It was a wonderful evening celebrating our students’ and parents’ creativity!

Girls Volleyball 3X champs

Santiago Girls Volleyball Team are four-time District Champions in the Santa Ana Unified School District.

Jog-a-thon funraiser

Our 4th–8th graders explored real-world careers beyond the classroom. Thank you to our incredible presenters for inspiring students and showing what’s possible!

Families participated in PBS Kids Family Math Worshops to help their children count, create, explore, and develop fine motor skills.

Santiago’s 6th Grade Students Visit Santa Ana College! Students toured the campus and enjoyed an up-close look at the Automotive and Medical Assistant programs. Experiences like this help ensure our Santiago Scholars are truly college and career ready!

Congratulations to our Santiago Football Team on their big win! We’re proud of our Turtles—keep up the great work!  Special shout-out to Coaches Rossmann & Puchalski!

Shout-out to our Santiago Girls Volleyball Team for their first win of the season!  Keep up the hard work and teamwork. Way to go, Turtles!

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   The Principal's Message

 

 

Mrs. Kimberly Ahvari, School Principal

Dear Santiago Students, Families, and School Community,

Welcome to an exciting new school year! I am thrilled to begin the 2026–2027 school year with our wonderful students, families, and staff. As we embark on another year of learning, growth, and connection, I am reminded of the spirit of our school—and especially our turtle mascot, who reminds us that steady progress, perseverance, and a strong sense of community help us go far!

This year, we will continue to build on what makes Santiago such a special place. Our school-wide focus areas are literacy, language, and belonging. We want every student to grow as a confident reader, writer, communicator, and learner while knowing that they are an important and valued member of our school community. Together, we will create opportunities for every student to find their voice, develop their strengths, and feel that they truly belong.

A big part of belonging is being involved! I encourage all of our students to explore the many opportunities available beyond the classroom. Whether it is sports, drama, Battle of the Books for our 4th and 5th graders, or Femineers for our middle school students, there is a place for everyone to discover new interests, build friendships, develop confidence, and have fun.

Our families are also an essential part of our school community. I encourage parents and caregivers to get involved with our PTA, which works throughout the year to bring our community together and create memorable experiences for our students. From our Jog-a-thon and Fall Festival to Movie Nights and other school-wide events, the PTA helps make Santiago a vibrant and connected place to learn and grow.

As we begin this new school year, let’s embrace every opportunity to learn, participate, encourage one another, and celebrate our successes. With our students, staff, and families working together, I know we are in for an incredible year!

Let’s keep moving forward—one step at a time, just like our turtle!

I look forward to an amazing 2026–2027 school year with all of you.

Warmly,

Mrs. Ahvari

School Principal

 

 

 

Santiago Daily Start & Dismissal Times

 

Year At-A-Glance School Calendar 2026-2027

 

Santiago Hub — Easy Access to Key Resources 

 
SAUSD AERIES SIS PORTALS
 
WELLNESS CENTER F.A.C.E
Santiago School Calendar
Practice and Training Tests
Teacher & Staff  Links

 

The Future Begins Here

About Us

At Santiago, we believe every child deserves the foundation and opportunities to thrive. Guided by our Three Rs—Ready, Responsible, and Respectful—we nurture strong academic and STEAM skills while encouraging creativity through athletics and the arts, including drama. By combining engaging learning experiences with real-world connections, we empower every Turtle to explore their passions, develop future-ready skills, and shine with pride.

College & Career Readiness

Opportunities to explore future pathways starting in middle school. 

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Sports & Physical Education

Encouraging teamwork, fitness, and healthy habits

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Thriving Drama Program

Opportunities for creativity, expression, and confidence-building

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Active PTA & Family Engagement

Active parent involvement through programs, events, and fundraisers like the annual Jog-a-thon.

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Strong Academics & STEAM Learning

Engaging instruction that builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills

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Safe and Welcoming Environment

Students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically

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Slow and Steady, Building Bright Futures

Why Santiago?

At Santiago Elementary—Home of the Terrific Turtles —students grow steadily, purposefully, and with heart. With a safe and welcoming environment, strong academics, hands-on STEAM learning, and a thriving drama program, every child is supported to build confidence, creativity, and the skills needed for future success.

Stay in the Know

The Latest News

Stay connected to all that’s happening across Santiago. From important announcements and Board updates to inspiring stories from our schools and community, this is your hub for the latest news, events, and highlights. Visit often to learn how Santiago is preparing students for success today and into the future.

Santiago TK-8 Helping Hands Club: Parent Volunteer Opportunities | Club Manos que Ayudan de Santiago TK-8: Oportunidades de Voluntariado para Padres

Parents and families are invited to volunteer their time to support teachers, staff, and students at Santiago. Help with classroom materials, the PBIS Store, school events, and wherever an extra set of hands is needed. Every minute makes a difference!

Learn More about Santiago TK-8 Helping Hands Club: Parent Volunteer Opportunities | Club Manos que Ayudan de Santiago TK-8: Oportunidades de Voluntariado para Padres
Meet the Cast of Disney’s Moana Jr.!

Congratulations to our talented cast!
We’re setting sail on Year 11 of Santiago’s Disney Musicals in Schools program! We’re so proud of our performers for their courage, hard work, and enthusiasm.

Learn More about Meet the Cast of Disney’s Moana Jr.!
Santiago Drama News: Puffs | Congratulations to the cast of Puffs!

For the first time ever, Santiago Drama is excited to announce a DOUBLE-CAST production! With so much amazing talent at auditions, the production will feature two incredible casts, with each cast performing in two shows. Santiago Drama is incredibly proud of everyone who auditioned and looks forward to beginning this magical adventure together!

Learn More about Santiago Drama News: Puffs | Congratulations to the cast of Puffs!
Find Your Calm: Mrs. Zavala’s Quiet Corner Is Here!

Students who need a few minutes of calm and quiet between classes are invited to stop by Room 106 during nutrition. Mrs. Zavala’s Quiet Corner will focus on calming strategies to promote better learning, positive classroom behavior, and overall well-being. For more information, students can see Mrs. Zavala.

Learn More about Find Your Calm: Mrs. Zavala’s Quiet Corner Is Here!
Congratulations to the 2026–2027 Speedy Spirit Squad!

We are excited to congratulate our 2026–2027 Speedy Spirit Squad! Speedy Spirit Squad auditions took place recently, and we had an AMAZING turnout of spirited middle schoolers ready to show their Santiago pride! We’re excited to welcome our returning members and new recruits as they bring energy, leadership, and Turtle pride to our school community. 📣💚

Congratulations, Speedy Spirit Squad! We can’t wait to see you make 2026–2027 our most spirited year yet!

Learn More about Congratulations to the 2026–2027 Speedy Spirit Squad!

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