Hello, Excelsior Families!

I am thrilled to welcome new and returning students to campus for our 2022-2023 school year. Our staff is excited to work with each student and their family to prepare all students to become successful adults. This year’s Excelsior-wide theme is “Journey Around the World,” and we are honored that you have chosen to join us for this phase of your education journey. At Excelsior, students work toward their personal goals as part of a team with their parents, facilitators, teachers, counselors and administration staff. Excelsior is also excited to partner with Victor Valley Community College to offer our students a higher education while still enjoying the high school experience. Excelsior students benefit from a positive, personalized learning environment which maximizes student potential. This personalized learning environment ensures that our students are the most prepared to be successful adults. Whether a student chooses to go to college, pursue a vocational career, or serve in the military, we believe that every student can be successful and, as our motto says, we are here to “make it happen.” Thank you for joining us this year!

Autobiography

Oscar Torres is the Principal of the Victorville Campus. He has 22 years of experience as an educator. In that time, he was a teacher, coach, Athletic Director, ASB adviser, Club adviser, Assistant Principal, and Coordinator of College and Career Readiness. Mr. Torres graduated from the University of La Verne with a Bachelor of Arts in Movement in Sports Science and a Master’s in Education. He received his Administration Credential from the University of Redlands. Mr. Torres has 2 children, one son that is 16 years old and a daughter this is 5 years old with his wife. In his spare time, he enjoys fixing items around his house and property. Mr. Torres is committed to Excelsior’s vision and mission of preparing all students to become successful adults, and he is proud to be a partner in education with Excelsior staff, students and families.

Amanda Lohn is the Assistant Principal at Excelsior’s Victorville site. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Master’s in Educational Technology at California Polytechnic University, Pomona. Amanda has been with Excelsior since 2010 and has worked as a substitute, facilitator, classroom teacher, mentor, and interim administrator. She believes all students can achieve success and is dedicated to helping students “Make it Happen!”. Her mission is to prepare students to become successful adults and she looks forward to continuing to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for students to thrive in.

I am excited to be at Excelsior’s Victorville campus serving the families of the high desert area and supporting the incredible staff at the site and the amazing work they do in providing students with quality education.  I am an alumnus of Azusa Pacific University where I earned my Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership and an alumnus of Chapman University where I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science.  I began my career in education in 2007 working as a teacher for the Snowline Unified School District, teaching students in grades 6-8 at a middle school and later students grades 9-12 at a continuation high school.  In 2010 I was fortunate to have the opportunity to join the team at Excelsior’s Victorville campus.  During my time here I have served students and families in the capacities of Facilitator/Teacher for grades 7-11 and as an Assistant Principal.  My titles and job duties have changed throughout my time as an educator but what has not is my uncompromising view that all students can learn, given a positive learning atmosphere and the support of their parents/guardians and teachers.