105 Students, Top 1% Results: What Happy Valley Figured Out - Michelle Stewart

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Michelle Stewart, the superintendent and principal of Happy Valley Elementary School District in Santa Cruz, California. With just 105 students, Happy Valley has achieved remarkable success, consistently ranking in the top 1% of schools in California. Michelle shares her journey through education, from teaching to administration, and discusses the unique challenges of leading a small, rural school, particularly in a post-COVID world. We delve into the importance of kindness among students and explore how a supportive school culture fosters both academic excellence and personal growth. Join us as we uncover the secrets behind Happy Valley's outstanding results and the heartfelt commitment of its community.

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This episode is 31 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 17, 2026.

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