PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Welcome! My name is Janet Vasquez and I am the proud principal of EJE Middle Academy. While I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii I have pretty much grown up in Spring Valley right here in East County San Diego. I attended and graduated from UCSD with a B.A. in International Studies-Sociology with a minor in Law and Society. I continued my postgraduate studies at UCLA where I earned my M.Ed. with the desire and drive to become a middle school teacher. I began my teaching career working at a large district middle school in Pico Union, a community in Los Angeles. After three years I decided it was time to move back home and was fortunate to be hired as a 7th grade teacher here at EJEMA. I taught in the middle school for two years and I am now in my 9th year as principal.  

I am very proud of the work that our teachers and students are accomplishing here at EJEMA, and invite you to visit us and see first hand what makes our school such a special place. We are now in our 12th year of the middle school and have met many successes along the way. We have been recognized as a California Distinguished School and have earned a six year WASC accreditation due to our culture of high expectations and the detail and attention we give to analyzing our student results in order to better meet their needs. We know, however, that we need to continue to grow and improve if we want our children to have limitless possibilities.

I am proud to announce that every year we find more ways to improve and offer more opportunities for our students to develop both in their studies and their character.  Every year our students have the opportunity to participate in an elective class of their choice including Music, Cooking & Nutrition, Student Leadership, Coding and our most popular elective AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). Our English Language Arts curriculum focuses on social issues because we know that exposure to such topics is critical so that they become well-rounded individuals who believe in social justice and are ready for the world. We will continue to have Community course the first class of the day in which teachers and students come together to build community, character development, effective habits, and strengthen their inner virtues.

Our goal at EJE Middle Academy is to support and guide the development of not only academically strong students, but also well-rounded citizens who engage in experiences that help them think more critically about their world and future and who take ownership of their own learning.  This is why all students will receive instruction in English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies (in Spanish), Spanish Language Arts, Science, Physical Education, Community and an Elective course.

As President Obama said, “No one has written your destiny for you.  Your destiny is in your hands.  You cannot forget that.  No excuses.”  Our EJEMA family does an incredible job holding our students to high expectations while making sure that they are cared for and valued.  I invite you to come visit and see our teachers, students, parents, tutors, and support staff in action, and experience for yourself first hand what EJE Middle Academy is all about.

My door is always open and I look forward to building a partnership with you and your child so that together we can help them succeed.

Ms. Vasquez

Middle School Principal