Sandra Rizzo, Selected as Principal of San Rafael Elementary

After a selection process that included input from school community members, Sandra Rizzo has been selected as principal of San Rafael Elementary, pending approval by the Board of Education. Ms. Rizzo has served as interim principal of the school since July 2023.

Ms. Rizzo brings more than 24 years of experience as an educator in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) to San Rafael Elementary. She was assistant principal of Marshall Fundamental Secondary School for 13 years. She began her career in PUSD as a Spanish language and literature teacher at Marshall, where she initiated the Spanish for Native Speakers program; 100% of her first-year students passed the AP Spanish exam.

Ms. Rizzo is a product of PUSD schools and attended Hamilton, Jefferson, Wilson, and Marshall Fundamental. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish language from California State University Northridge, a Master’s in School Administration, and an administrative credential from California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

San Rafael Elementary School, 1090 Nithsdale Rd., Pasadena, (626) 396-5790 or visit www.pusd.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=33.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), 351 S. Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 396-3600 or visit www.pusd.us.