Sarah Rudchenko led Hamilton Elementary to National Blue Ribbon Nomination

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz today announced that he has named Sarah Rudchenko as principal at Wilson Middle School, which serves approximately 740 sixth through eighth grade students. Over the past seven years, Principal Rudchenko has served as the principal of Hamilton Elementary, a California Distinguished School and a current nominee for the National Blue Ribbon Achievement award.

"Ms. Rudchenko brings an outstanding record of strong leadership and increasing academic achievement," said Superintendent Diaz. "Her ability to establish relationships with staff, students and family and her knowledge of curriculum and instruction will help Wilson take the next steps in improvement. Sarah is eager to take on this new challenge and I am confident she will do an outstanding job."

Prior to her tenure at Hamilton, Ms. Rudchenko taught elementary students in the Los Angeles Unified School District and served as an instructional aide at the University of California, Los Angeles. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree, teaching credential and Master’s in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles. Under Ms. Rudchenko’s leadership, Academic Performance Index (API) scores rose approximately 150 points to 838 at Hamilton Elementary School.

"I would like to thank Principal Ruth Esseln for her committed service to the Wilson community over the past two years," said Superintendent Diaz. "Ms. Esseln led a 44-point increase in API scores at Wilson, was a key contributor to the development of the Excellent Middle Schools program, and laid a solid foundation for continued improvement at Wilson."

Hamilton is one of several PUSD elementary schools that will welcome new principals in September. Later this month, PUSD will fill principalships at Don Benito, Loma Alta and Roosevelt Elementary Schools. Staff and families at each school will have the opportunity to provide input regarding the desired characteristics of their new principal, who will be appointed in early July.