Welcome back, Students and Families!

I am so proud to introduce myself as the principal at Rio Rico High School for next school year, 25-26. On many levels, this feels like returning home. I graduated from Rio Rico High School as part of the second graduating class in 1999 and had the honor to work at Rio Rico HS from 2005 to 2023. Now, two years later I return as the proud principal. During my 20 years in education I have been a classroom teacher, behavioral coach, coordinator of alternative education, assistant principal and principal. I am excited to contribute to our school and our community at large during the upcoming school year. 

As you know, our school's core values are: Relationships, Excellence and Pride. I believe that it is important that these three values permeate through every aspect of our school and all school programs. These values are not just words, they are the foundation of our school culture and the guideposts that shape our daily actions. 

Relationships are the cornerstone of a thriving school community. We believe that when students feel seen, heard, and valued, they are empowered to reach their full potential. This year, we will continue to build strong, positive relationships with one another, with our families, and within our greater community to promote that every student feels a sense of belonging and purpose. Excellence is our commitment to high standards in academics, behavior, and character. We will strive each day to bring our best selves to the classroom and to every interaction. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, tackling a challenging goal, or supporting a peer or colleague, we believe that excellence is achieved when we push ourselves and each other to grow beyond expectations. And finally, we take great Pride in our school, pride in our work, pride in who we are, and pride in the shared responsibility we all have in making our campus a welcoming, inspiring, and safe place to learn. Pride fuels our sense of ownership and drives us to the improvement of our school and all aspects of our experience at Rio Rico High School. 

Families, I encourage all of you to stay involved in your student's education. Staying connected with our school community is more important than ever. We encourage all families to engage with us through regular communication, parent events, school updates, and student celebrations. When schools and families work in partnership, students thrive. Please make sure your contact information is up to date, check our school website, newsletters, and Facebook and Instagram. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us, we are here to support you and your student in any way possible. I look forward to the collaboration with all of our families as we strive to have the best learning outcomes for our students. 

As we begin this new school year together, let us carry these values forward in all that we do. I am confident that with our shared commitment to relationships, excellence, and pride, this will be a great school year for our students, our staff and our families at Rio Rico High School. It is with great excitement and anticipation that I welcome you back for another incredible school year. As the principal at RRHS, I am honored to continue working alongside our dedicated staff, passionate students, and supportive families to make this year one of growth, achievement, and connection. I am proud and excited to have returned to the Nest! 

Dagoberto López

Rio Rico High School, Principal