Spotlight on Rose City High School Principal Brian Stanley
Under Principal Brian Stanley, 2019 award recipient of Administrator of the Year Row City High School is currently in the process of re-designating as a model continuation school by the California Department of Education. Such an award means the school provides comprehensive services to at-risk students through exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services. This is remarkable considering its roots as a “school of hard knocks” where the “bad kids” had to go when they were expelled from school.
Stanley, a product of a broken home, former foster youth, and a high school dropout, has first-hand experience of what many of his at-risk students are going through and knows the value of supportive adults and community. “These are kids have simply fallen behind in school, and often because of some kind of trauma in their lives”. With the help of trusted adults and teachers, Stanley was able to turn his life around, going to college and continuing with a Masters and Most Outstanding Student in his graduating class. He got his start in PUSD teaching at McKinley School, then Rose City, before becoming dean and assistant principal before becoming principal. Although academic success is important, Stanley believes in growing the “whole student”, to go beyond high school, to complete college, and to become knowledgeable, active citizens in a rapidly changing world. His vision is ‘Opportunity”, with the belief that learning from mistakes makes you stronger. He sees Rose City students as “advantaged and stronger” because of previous hardships. His core belief is to never underestimate the potential of students when their core academic and emotional needs are met. According to Marshall Principal, Mark Anderson, “[with Stanley’s leadership [ Rose City is not the last chance but the best opportunity for students.”
Rose City High School, 351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, (626) 396-5620 or visit www.pusd.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=61.
