Arcadia Unified School District has recently announced Dr. Jorge Munoz as the new Arcadia High School (AHS) principal starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This announcement followed shortly after Dr. Angie Dillman was chosen as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.
Dr. Munoz has been working at AUSD for 19 years,and he sees the new position of principal as a position where he could best “help the school.”
Before stepping into administration, Dr. Munoz began his AUSD journey as a biology teacher and volleyball coach. He spent years building strong connections with students both inside and outside the classroom. As a coach, he led the Girls Frosh-soph Volleyball team, later the Girls JV Volleyball team, and even took charge of the entire volleyball program during off-seasons when the head coach was unavailable. Managing over 70 student-athletes at one point, Munoz learned early the importance of leadership and balancing both high expectations and personal growth — lessons that he says still continues to influence his approach as an administrator.
“I never thought I’d be principal one day,” Dr. Munoz shared. “I was just doing my job, helping wherever I could, and applying for opportunities when they came up.”
In his plans for the next few years, he hopes to successfully introduce the Golden State Pathways Program, a five-year grant program intended to prepare students for high-demand careers through guided academic tracks. Dr. Munoz is particularly excited that AHS is currently planning on areas like education, healthcare, and computer science as starting points.
“If a student walks on campus knowing they want to be a teacher, then we’re able to tell them there’s a series of classes they could take,” he said. “It also lets us build stronger connections with local colleges and employers, so students get a real sense of what those careers look like.”
In his current role as assistant principal, Dr. Munoz has worked to implement many changes, such as making AP exam registration more convenient on TotalRegistration and securing UC-approved elective credit for certain science courses.
Dr. Munoz recognizes that AHS can be challenging for many, given the high expectations students set for themselves. He emphasizes that while it is suggested that students challenge themselves in rigorous coursework, a balance between academics, extracurricular, and social events is also important. He hopes AHS students will find things they are truly interested in.
“Find the things that you’re interested in and lean into those and find ways to do that,” he said. “You will enjoy yourself, but if you’re doing it for somebody else, there will be less joy in it.”
While the transition from assistant principal to principal brings both excitement and new responsibility, Dr. Munoz says he feels ready for the challenge.
“Of course I was excited, but it comes with a weight,” he admitted. “This is a big job. It’s very public. What you do matters a little more. You get to know everything worth celebrating but also everything that’s heavy or sad. It’s heavier work, but I’m ready for it.”
Above all, Dr. Munoz hopes to create an environment where students feel supported and empowered to follow their own paths. With his nearly two decades of experience at Arcadia High and his deep passion for student success it is without a doubt that he is prepared for this role where he hopes will build on the school’s proud traditions.
Photo Courtesy of AUSD
