Welcome to Alhambra Elementary School District!

My name is Ceci Maes, and I am incredibly proud and grateful to serve as Superintendent of the Alhambra Elementary School District. It is an honor to be part of a community that cares so deeply about its children and their futures.

Alhambra is home to 14 schools, including our preschool, each with its own unique qualities and strengths. What unites us is our commitment to creating schools where every child feels loved, known, safe, and challenged to be their very best. We are proud to serve more than 8,700 students, and if you ask what makes Alhambra special, I believe the answer is simple: our people. From our teachers and school leaders to every staff member who supports our students, we have a team that cares deeply about children and is committed to helping them succeed.

My own journey in education began with a deep understanding of how much a caring teacher can change a child's life. My childhood included significant challenges, including losing my mother at a very young age. For a time, I struggled with anger and wondered whether life would always be so hard. What made a difference were the teachers who saw me, cared about me, and helped me understand that although life can be difficult, we are not defined by the obstacles we face. We can learn to approach those challenges with a mindset that helps us move forward. Their influence changed my life, and it is a large part of why I chose to become an educator.

Over the past 27 years, I have had the privilege of teaching and leading in public education, and I have loved this work through both its greatest joys and its hardest moments. Teaching showed me the incredible difference one educator can make. Becoming a principal allowed me to support an entire school community, and later, serving as Director of Special Services gave me the opportunity to support thousands of students through Special Education, gifted education, and alternative education programs. Each experience strengthened my belief that every child deserves to be seen, supported, and given the opportunity to reach their potential. These experiences continue to shape my leadership and my commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard, especially those that might otherwise go unheard.

As your Superintendent, one of my priorities is to build meaningful relationships with the students, families, staff, and community members who make Alhambra special. Although we serve thousands of students and families, every child matters, every family matters, and every voice matters. I want our community to know we are here to listen, learn, and work together to help every student succeed.

Thank you for trusting Alhambra with your child's education. We are committed to helping every student grow, discover their strengths, and build a strong foundation for high school, college, career, and life beyond the classroom.

I believe deeply in the power of education, the strength of our community, and what we can achieve when we work together. Alhambra is a district on the rise, and we rise together!

With gratitude,

Ceci Maes
Superintendent
Alhambra Elementary School District