Principal's Message
Dear Vanguard Nation,
I want to warmly welcome you to the new school year! The staff at El Modena High School is excited for the opportunity to work with you and our students to provide a safe and productive learning environment.
As your principal, it is my sincere pleasure to work with our Vanguard staff and community to help provide an excellent educational experience for our students. We are committed to ensuring that our students are prepared for the next stage of their life. We strive to not only to educate our Vanguards but to also inspire, motivate, and challenge them.
El Modena has earned the California Distinguished School Award and been named a Gold Ribbon School. We have also been listed by U.S. News World Report as one America’s Best High Schools for 2019, 2020, and 2021. We are proud to offer a wide range of course and programs so that every student participates n an enriching learning environment focused on preparing them for their futures. Our AP Program includes the prestigious AP Research and Capstone Course that allows students to earn an AP Diploma. We have over 1000 AP Exams taken each year and over 125 AP Scholars during any given year. We are also very proud to offer (2) Pre-AP Courses for our 9th Grade students---English and Biology. This allows them to earn Honors Credit that is approved for GPA Calculation for the UC Colleges. We are also proud of the wide range of science courses that we offer and are proud that they are held in our brand new, state-of-the-art Science Center located next to our new aquatic center.
As part of our commitment to ensuring all students are college and career ready, we offer a plethora of courses and programs. From 15 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs to 27 Advanced Placement (AP) Courses, our Vanguards graduate ready to be leaders of tomorrow. El Modena students engage in hands-on learning experiences to prepare them for high paying professions in growing industries. We are a nationally recognized demonstration site for our Academy of Construction, Computer Science and Engineering. Our Arts Media and Entertainment Pathway includes on Multi Award Winning EMTV Program as well as our state-of-the-art print shop where students can design and create logos, windscreens, and banners as they develop specialized skills that can be applied to a variety of professions. El Modena also offers career pathways in Culinary Arts, Sports Medicine, Education, Digital Media Collaborative, and Public Safety.
Moreover, the hard work and dedication of our coaching staff proudly develops athletes of character by teaching them to respect the game as well as the value of teamwork. El Modena features 23 sports at a variety of levels so that over half of our student body participates in our outstanding athletic programs.
The culture of El Modena is something incredibly special. From our Rowdy Rooters, Legendary Spirit Week, to our outstanding Cheer Squad, it is no wonder that we were recognized by Varsity Brands as “Most Spirited School ASB Government”!
Vanguard students have a wide variety of opportunities to engage with our school. There is truly something for everyone. Through our strong academic program and extensive extracurricular offerings, El Modena is honored to foster outstanding young men and women who become pillars in the community. None of this would be possible without a staff who is truly dedicated to ensuring all students have a positive and meaningful learning experience.
We look forward to this year!
Go Vanguards!