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Message from Our Leadership

 

thumbnail_Image-6-29-22-at-10.39-AM.jpgHelen V. Griffith, Ed.D.

Superintendent
Biography

Greetings and welcome to The Preuss School UC San Diego website!

We are proud to have the opportunity to prepare our scholars for a world-class educational experience. It is our mission to prepare our scholars to enter and graduate from the university of their choosing. Second, it is our goal to be the pipeline to UC San Diego for our Preuss scholars.

To date, we are leading the work to create a replicable model that other educational institutions can use to create college-bound options for all scholars in their Learning Community. Feel free to reach out to us as partners in education as we work to ensure all scholars have access to high-quality, world-class preparation. Join our revolution of the phenomenal as we change the face of public education!

 

Matthew_Steitz_leadership.jpegMatthew Steitz, Ed.D.

Principal
Biography

Welcome to The Preuss School UC San Diego!
It is with great excitement that I welcome you to The Preuss School UC San Diego website. Serving as Principal of this extraordinary school is an honor, and I am proud to work alongside our scholars, families, faculty, staff, and partners as we begin the 2025–2026 school year.

At Preuss, our mission remains clear and constant:
To ensure that students who are from low-income families and who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education are admitted to and succeed at the university as the first in their families to attend and graduate from college.

This year, we continue our commitment to the Foundation for Scholar Transformation (F4ST), which guides our work across four goals:
  1. Building a culture of community and collaboration.
  2. Delivering high-quality teaching and learning.
  3. Creating school structures that support scholar-centered systems.
  4. Supporting the whole scholar.
Our expectations for scholars remain high, and we are committed to providing the instruction, support, and opportunities needed for every student to thrive. From our Phone/Device-Free Preuss initiative that keeps scholars focused and engaged, to our enriched academic and extracurricular programs, we are creating an environment where learning is rigorous, purposeful, and connected to future success.

As we begin this school year, I invite you to stay engaged with our community, support your scholar’s journey, and celebrate the accomplishments that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to make The Preuss School UC San Diego a place where opportunity, perseverance, and achievement define the Preuss experience.
With gratitude and optimism,

Dr. Matthew Steitz
Principal, The Preuss School UC San Diego

 

DanielleAgliamDanielle Agliam

Vice Principal

Welcome to the Preuss School at UC San Diego website!

I am excited to officially join the administrative team and continue our work to be the #1 Charter school in San Diego. The work here is not done without sacrifice, but the rewards are plentiful and life-altering. Scholars who attend and graduate from The Preuss School will be presented with opportunities that traditionally are set for those with a higher education and economic status. Our students are breaking barriers and not letting any social norms stand in their way.

It is my honor to be a part of this journey. I look forward to working with you and your family to achieve greatness. Please follow us and your scholar as we continue to transform the lives of San Diego’s youth. Go Tritons!

 

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Kamilah Brown

Vice Principal
Biography

Greetings and welcome to The Preuss School UC San Diego! It is an honor to serve as Vice Principal alongside our dedicated leadership team as we embrace The Preuss Way—where Kindness, Respect, and Excellence intersect with ethical leadership, academic achievement, and civic engagement. Our mission is to prepare scholars to become influential global citizens through a deep understanding of all disciplines, equipping them for post-secondary success and a lifetime of learning and leadership.

At Preuss, Kindness forms the foundation of our community, fostering care and inclusivity. Respect guides us to value diverse perspectives. Excellence inspires us to strive for growth and achievement both academically and personally. We look forward to partnering with parents and families to nurture these values and advance our mission. Together, we will embark on an enriching academic year, embodying The Preuss Way as we create a future filled with connection, growth, and meaningful accomplishments.

 

 

Jon_Host.jpg

Jon Host

Chief Administrative Officer
Biography

I am so excited to join the Leadership Team at The Preuss School UC San Diego. Throughout my career I have been passionately committed to the idea that public education should exist to maximize the limitless potential of every child – regardless of their race, zip code, or economic status. The Preuss School was founded with this vision in mind, and has transformed the lives of so many by preparing deserving low-income and first-generation scholars for post-secondary success. I am honored to join at this time and carry forward the work of those that founded the school and have stewarded it so well through the years.