Year-end Q&A with Novato High Principal Rey Mayoral

Editor's note: The administrative staff members at Novato High School are putting the final touches on another successful year on campus. Student Carlisle Silvestri sat down with Principal Rey Mayoral to reflect on the past school year and talk about what's ahead.

By Carlisle Silvestri

Q: In what ways has Novato High grown in the past year?

A: We grew extensively through our WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) review this year. Much of the positive feedback included recognition of our phenomenal Marin School of the Arts, strong academic programs, and the thriving AVID and JROTC. It is evident that Novato High has become a school of choice in Marin.

I am so proud of the success of these programs and the teacher’s vision and dedication has been rewarded with stunning accomplishments.  ROTC received the highest accreditation that is only given to 3 programs nationally.  AVID students continue to achieve academic success and strong college placements.  MSA won more than 200 awards this year including top drama program in the entire Bay Area at the Ohlone Drama Festival.  The music program had an amazing year with every school group (20) winning Superior ratings at festivals with the Advanced Jazz Band and Jazz Choir both being selected from national applicants to perform at the Monterey, Next Generation Jazz Festival.  For the second year in a row, an MSA art student won Best in Show at the Marin County Rising Starts Art Show.

From program reviews we know there is also room for improvement and we look forward to collaborating with staff and parents on these issues. We will be improving the way we deliver instructions, how we utilize technology, and support English language-learning populations. We must create a unifying vision so we are all on same page and moving forward to help become a distinguished school.

Q: What will you remember/miss most about this year’s senior class?

A: They’re an awesome class. These students are academically motivated, respectful, have few discipline issues, and are genuinely good individuals. Many students are committed to a purpose and have exceptional goals. Proof of this is in the scholarships they have received totaling over $4,332.297 — a Novato High record.  This class is not just good, they are great.  The colleges these students will be attending in the fall rival the lists of the best private schools in the Bay Area with students enrolling in Stanford, MIT, NYU and all the UCs plus a number of the best private colleges.

Equally impressive was the awards these students won that included one of our outstanding MSA vocalists, Laila Smith, being selected as one of only 20 students chosen from the U.S. to perform at a special performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. with the opportunity to meet President Obama.  Another grad, Katie Cameron’s A.P.  was so outstanding that the College Board that runs the A.P. program asked for permission to use her portfolio as a demonstration model for there informational handouts.

We also have many athletes and academic stars. These kids have been through so much. When classmate Isaac Brott lost his life tragically in a car wreck, this class was mourning and grieving but came together to serve as an example for their community. They are also the first class to have taken on the new senior project, and each stepped up to it with grace. I have upmost respect for them.

Q: Any final words for the graduating seniors?

A: Remember that life is precious. It can be taken away in a blink of an eye, and we must appreciate that we are not here forever — and as long as we are to make good decisions and good choices. Cherish the people who love and support you whether they are family, friends or teachers. Always be respectful and of the help others have given you and in turn, try and do this for others as well.

Q: What goals do you have for Novato High School for next year?

A: I want us to start a process of creating a unifying vision that will help us move in the direction of increasing academic excellence.   Along with that, we have specific WASC recommendations and an action plan that we will implement. Important goals for next year include establishing data-driven instruction that will enable us to interpret student progress so that we can modify instruction to improve student learning and improve teaching performance.

We have the capability and success to be a California Distinguished School and I would like to apply for it next year. Novato High will continue to work creating programs and add to existing programs that will support our underperforming students. Continued support will also be given to Marin School of the Arts so they can continue being one of the top art schools in the state. Additionally, we are expanding the AVID program so that the entire school adopts the AVID process. We will continue to maintain a safe learning environment and move toward different ways to increase visibility and decrease discipline issues.  We want a safe and clean campus.   One exciting new class coming next year is the start of our Engineering and Design program that will be using our brand new state-of-the art MAC lab and employ powerful software with printers that can turn Auto-Cad blue prints into working three dimensional designs.

Final note to the community from Rey Mayoral:

I thank the Novato community for their support over the last eight years I have been Principal. We also thank the parents that have dedicated hours of time to programs like PTSA, MSA, ELAC, SLT, and Sports Boosters — the quality of these programs would be nowhere near what they are today without the parents hard work, support.  

Many people don’t realize that due to the recession, we have lost funding in the district for several years in a row.  The outstanding achievements we have seen in academics, arts and sports were made possible by an incredible school board, district administration, teachers, staff and coaches who have made up for the severe financial loss through there dedication, vision, passion and extra voluntary hours to ensure that our students can compete with anyone in the nation.  It is there efforts that make me love working for this district, school and community.

Finally I would like to show my gratitude toward the community for embracing education and recognizing the importance of their support of our schools. High school students in Novato are very fortunate.  They have two outstanding highs schools to attend.