Tracey Runeare, who currently serves as the principal of Harbor High School in Santa Cruz, will be Los Altos High School’s principal for the 2023-24 school year, the Mountain View-Los Altos school district announced yesterday. She will succeed long time educator Wynne Satterwhite, who is retiring next month after serving as principal since 2004.
“I am thrilled to join the home of the eagles,” Runeare said in yesterday’s press release. “I was particularly drawn to Los Altos High’s values of equity and world-class educational opportunities.”
Runeare first served as a social studies teacher and assistant principal at Watsonville High before becoming assistant principal and later principal at Harbor High.
According to the press release, Runeare has a Bachelor of Arts in social science and a Master of Arts in education from San Jose State University. She also holds an administrative credential and single subject credential in social science from San Jose State University. She’s currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership focusing on transformative leadership, social justice and equity from San Francisco State University, which she is expected to receive next May.
At Harbor High, where Runeare has been principal since 2016, she led the school to an International Baccalaureate World School authorization, increased student enrollment by 25% over two years and served as a site lead for a $26.3 million bond measure to fund Harbor facilities, according to the press release.
“Ms. Runeare stood out amongst all of the candidates as someone who brings a strong instructional background as a long-time teacher and a veteran high school principal,” MVLA Superintendent Dr. Nellie Meyer said in the press release. “Her strong instructional expertise, coupled with her understanding of student support, will serve our community well.”