Welcome Back, Neuwirth Boxers! 

My name is Candice Dagnino, and it is with great honor that I join the Alliance Patti & Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy to serve as Principal.

I was born and raised about an hour from the U.S.-Mexico border in Tucson, Arizona. I attended the University of Arizona where I earned a B.A. in Political Science and Portuguese, and I graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching from The Johns Hopkins University. After teaching Spanish and Math in grades K-12, I moved to Brazil as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant where I coached and developed English teachers. I began my career as a principal five years ago after earning a second master’s degree in School Leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

My parents emigrated from Mexico when they were young, and they lived their lives in pursuit of the best possible life for me and my siblings. The value of education was ingrained in us at a very young age, and it was never a matter of if we would go to college, but rather where we would go. I maintain the same philosophy for my scholars, and live every day to making their college graduation a reality.

I have joined an incredible team of teachers and staff at Neuwirth who model the same drive and commitment to our scholars and families. Together, we will ensure that our scholars graduate from college so that they may live their best life – a life full of choice and expanded opportunities. We know that their success relies on our promise to provide high-quality, meaningful learning experiences that will prepare them for college and beyond. Our team is willing and eager to do whatever it takes to see our scholars succeed, and we will do so with a laser focus on literacy and math instruction.

In partnership with our parents, families, and community stakeholders, I am confident that we will continue to make strong academic gains and elevate their performance on the CAASPP, AP exams, and on the SAT.  I am thrilled to be part of a school community where scholars, parents, faculty and staff work collectively to ensure a successful future for our scholars, and I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Candice Dagnino

Principal