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Meet the Principal

Ricardo Esparza

Ricardo Esparza

Principal

Ricardo LeBlanc-Esparza has 31 years of experience serving as a teacher and administrator in high-poverty schools. His experience includes serving as the principal of Granger High School in the state of Washington which was comprised of 90 percent students of color and 90 percent students of poverty. The school had less than a 50 percent graduation rate, and the community also had the highest reported crime rate in the region. By developing a team approach which involved parents, students, educators, and the community working toward a common goal, Ricardo helped Granger High achieve a 90 percent graduation rate, and the crime rate in the community decreased to the lowest reported crime rate in the Yakima Valley. The school’s remarkable turnaround was featured in the Education Trust publication, “It’s Being Done.” Ricardo also led an alternative school in the Denver metro-area designed for teen mothers and their children. This school was the subject of a television series, “High School Moms” broadcast on the Discovery channel.

Ricardo retired from being a full time educator and began consulting across the nation helping schools design and implement systems that will help all students reach their academic and social potential. He has co-authored two books through Solution Tree, “Breaking the Poverty Barrier” and “Strengthening the Connection Between School and Home.” His experience of elementary and secondary education gives him a unique perspective on the development of a student throughout their K-12 experience. He delivered numerous presentations focused on helping educators learn how to break the poverty barrier. He has also written for numerous educational publications. Ricardo has a passion and strong belief that all students can be successful if the correct systems are implemented in a school-wide manner.

Ricardo is now in his second year as Principal of Jefferson Jr/Sr High School and working to implement his strategies for all learners.