The William S. Hart Union High School District’s Governing Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Dr. Catherine Nicholas to become the new principal of Sequoia School.

Dr. Nicholas began her career as a science teacher in private schools from 1984 to 1987. She came to the Hart District where she has taught science and held leadership roles at Placerita, La Mesa and Rio Norte Junior Highs. In 2007 she became an assistant principal at Rancho Pico Junior High moving to Arroyo Seco in the same position in 2013. Last year, Dr. Nicholas served as an assistant principal at Canyon High School.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named principal of Sequoia School,” Dr. Nicholas said. “I can already tell Sequoia is a special, family-like, supportive and therapeutic environment where the incredible students are focused on academics and their futures.”

Dr. Nicholas has been responsible for many areas as an administrator including intervention, ASB, English Learners, Special Education, testing, professional development, technology and facilities to name just a few.
She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Pepperdine University, a Masters of Science Degree in Educational Computing from Pepperdine, a Master’s Degree from Cal State Northridge in Educational Administration and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA.

Sequoia School is a unique school within the Hart School District in that it serves approximately 55 students in grades 7-12 with the integration of academic, behavioral and therapeutic support. For more information on the school, go to www.sequoiasamurai.org.