Da Vinci Design

We are excited to share several important school leadership updates, effective July 1, 2025.

Samantha Navarro has been selected as Principal of Da Vinci Design, succeeding Russell Stoll, who will be stepping down.

Samantha brings 25 years of experience in public education as a teacher, coach, and school leader with a strong commitment to student-centered learning and equity-driven leadership. Her career has included teaching social studies, coaching high school tennis, and most recently, serving as Principal of New Millennium Secondary School for the past decade. Under her leadership, New Millennium became a close-knit community known for its academic rigor, meaningful relationships, and commitment to student growth.

Samantha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an Emphasis in Secondary Education and a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction from Biola University, as well as a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Arizona. She brings to Da Vinci Design a passion for authentic learning, inclusive school culture, and the empowerment of both students and staff.

Joining Samantha is Korina Barefield, stepping into the role of Assistant Principal. Korina, formerly the Dean of Student Success and Culture, is widely recognized for her unwavering commitment to student support, her expertise in MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports), and her ability to foster a vibrant, inclusive school culture. We are thrilled to welcome her into this new leadership role.

Kirk Takeyama will bring a wealth of expertise in operational excellence to his new role as Assistant Principal at Da Vinci Communications.

Please join us in congratulating Samantha, Korina and Kirk on their new roles. We look forward to the incredible work ahead under their leadership.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to Principal Russell Stoll for his outstanding leadership at Da Vinci Design. Most recently, he led the successful WASC re-accreditation process, with Da Vinci Design earning the highest level—a full six-year accreditation. We wish Russell all the best in his next chapter.

 

We are thrilled to announce that both Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications have been awarded six-year accreditations—the highest level possible—by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). This recognition reaffirms Da Vinci’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality education and promoting long-term success for all students.

Last year, Da Vinci Connect and Da Vinci RISE also earned full six-year accreditations. Next week, WASC will be visiting Da Vinci Science as part of its ongoing accreditation process.

WASC accreditation is a voluntary process through which schools demonstrate that they meet rigorous standards of educational quality and excellence. This well-respected accreditation can impact important factors such as credit transferability, eligibility for federal financial aid, and overall institutional credibility.

The Commission granted accreditation for Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications through June 30, 2031. Each school underwent a rigorous evaluation process that included a comprehensive self-study, peer review, and the successful completion of an on-site, three-day accreditation visit by a team of experienced educators.

“We are incredibly proud of Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications for earning this highest level of accreditation,” said Dr. Matthew Wunder, Da Vinci’s CEO/Superintendent. “This achievement reflects the dedication of so many team members who contributed to this outstanding result and who work every day to ensure the quality and impact of Da Vinci’s programs and services.”

“I wish to extend my deep appreciation to all the staff, faculty, and student leaders at Da Vinci Design and Da Vinci Communications, and especially to the Da Vinci leaders who led the WASC accreditation process, including DVD Principal Russell Stoll, DVC Principal Erin D’Souza, and Michelle Rainey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction,” Dr. Wunder continued.

Visiting team members identified the following strengths about Da Vinci Design, including:

• Da Vinci Design has a welcoming environment that gives access to opportunity through real world experiences, industry collaborations, and a focus on collaboration and presentation skills.
• Project-Based Learning engages students and connects them to real-world ideas and the outside community.
• DVD students feel prepared for adulthood.
• Da Vinci Design is fostering a culture of inclusivity, providing robust counseling support, implementing positive behavioral interventions and supports and restorative practices, and high behavioral and academic expectations for all students.
• All staff genuinely care about students and students feel the support.
• Presentations of Learning and other performance-based assessments allow for students to be self-reflecting learners and provide a real world element of professionalism.
• Staff are passionate about the ability to be creative and innovative in their instruction.

Visiting team members identified the following strengths about Da Vinci Communications, including:

• DVC provides a safe, inclusive environment that offers an opportunity for students to engage in a diverse, rigorous curriculum designed to help them succeed in life beyond high school.
• DVC’s culture prioritizes student well-being, academic success, collaboration, and respect to create a positive learning experience for all and make it a happy place.
• DVC has positive, supportive student-to-student and student-to-teacher interactions that support student success.
• The staff at DVC is diverse, welcoming and collaborative.
• DVC does an outstanding job communicating to its families.
• Students feel that DVC is a safe environment where teachers really care about their success.
• Project-Based Learning creates meaningful, real world-learning experiences that engage students and prepare them for post-secondary success.

We are so proud of our school communities!