• Principal Arteaga
    I would like to welcome everyone to Fernando R. Ledesma High School. This school year promises to be an exciting one, full of change and growth with a great staff who is willing to work with the students and help them achieve their maximum potential.  We congratulate those students who have graduated and continued their higher education.  We are proud of their contributions to the community.

    I am honored to be principal of Fernando R. Ledesma High School. I have spent the last thirty-one years in various roles as a teacher, counselor, and principal at this school, meeting many wonderful students and colleagues along the way. I have always had an open-door philosophy in my classroom and in the counseling office and continued this in my role as principal. I guarantee that you will find our campus second to none and one of the safest and welcoming school environments you will encounter.  Parents, students, staff, and community members are always welcome in my office. We are all here to serve the students. It is the school's mission to provide students with a personalized education program in a safe, caring environment that focuses on state and district instructional standards, enabling students to develop into successful, productive, socially and emotionally balanced citizens. The school realizes that many students need a second chance and that is what we are about. The school strives to create a nurturing environment where all students feel they are welcomed and supported in pursuing their educational and personal goals. Many former students return to school to share their college and professional success stories. We look forward to having alumni return and share their success stories as well.

    Our school has implemented many El Monte Union High School District initiatives, which include; EMUHSD Community Committed to College and Career, Dual Enrollment with Rio Hondo College and the One on One Initiative for Chromebook computers. With the support of EMUHSD every student on our campus has access to technology in every classroom.  We pride ourselves in being innovative in technology and bringing our students a rigorous curriculum that will help them be successful on their return to a comprehensive high school or college.

    As the school leader, I take great pride in re-imagining our school so we can continue to serve our students, teachers and the local community that EMUHSD serves.  Over the past couple of years, we have implemented new innovative programs that have helped us share our philosophies and school culture with others who come on to our campus for various events such as student leadership, teacher professional development, athletic events, community events and a youth wrestling program.

    For the past two years, our district, for the first time ever, along with our Student Advisory Council (SAC) pioneered ASB Leadership Day in our Muti-Purpose Room/gym (MPR).  The Mustangs hosted students from our five comprehensive high schools (Rosemead, South El Monte, El Monte, Mt. View, Arroyo) along with ASB leaders from our local feeder junior high schools for a one-day event that consisted of several fun workshops on leadership.  The leadership agenda was developed by CASL an organization that supports schools developing student leaders.  ASB students have the opportunity to develop goal-setting/oriented skills that will help them in any future endeavor.  Many fun activities were also incorporated that encouraged being positive and caring, working well with others, being a good listener and communicator.  Both ASB Leadership Days over the past two years have been very rewarding to all students and have brought great pride to our staff and student body as we have been able to share our beautiful MPR and school environment.

    Another innovative program that our Curriculum and Instructional Department has implemented is Launch.  Launch is a three-day professional development day for all participating teachers throughout the district from all five comprehensive high schools.  It is with great pleasure and pride that we were asked to host the three-day teacher development days here at FRLHS classrooms and MPR.  Seeing our school come alive the last two years before the beginning of the school year with so many great educators brings so much positive energy to our staff.  

    As the principal of FRLHS, I believe it's extremely important and take great pride in sharing our school culture and philosophies with our local communities.  In partnership with USA Wrestling and district wrestling coaches, the Jedi Wrestling program was created at FRLHS.  Jedi wrestling gives our local youth an opportunity to be involved in a no-cost quality wrestling program where they have the opportunity to develop and possibly be future EMUHSD athletes. We enjoy sharing our culture and facilities with our community and recreational athletes.  I'm honored to support a program that helps build confidence, a love for athletics, belonging and importantly, a smile on their faces.

    In addition, we have been able to assist all our comprehensive high schools by hosting volleyball, basketball and wrestling, both women's and men's teams.   Mission Valley League matches have been hosted at our MPR which has allowed us to share our facilities and culture with various communities.  We have definitely become fans of all our local athletes as we get to watch them develop and compete.  All the student athletes that come on to our campus also get to be honorary Mustangs, which brings a smile to their faces.

    The staff at FRLHS has made social and emotional health a priority for everyone.  Students have access to a number of local services on campus and in our community.  Our families are very important to us, and it is imperative that they feel comfortable and have clear, effective communication with our school.  In recent years we had the opportunity to celebrate Model School status for the third time and a Six Year WASC award for the fifth time in a row.  This would not be possible without the strong relationship we have with our students, staff, community and district offices.  

    The school promises a commitment to excellence and helping all students achieve their goals. The success a student has is a direct result of the effort and dedication they put into the tasks and challenges ahead.  I hope you find your stay at FRLHS not only a great experience, but your best educational experience.

    Remember, "Just learn, baby."

    Freddy Arteaga
    Principal