Sara Noguchi

Background

About Sara Noguchi

For more than 30 years, I have dedicated my career to ensuring that every student—regardless of background—has equitable access to a high-quality education. As Superintendent of Modesto City Schools since 2018, I have had the privilege of leading a diverse district of over students and staff, shaping policies and programs that remove barriers and open doors to opportunity. As a strategic thinker, I believe that all levels of leadership—from the Board room to the classroom—must be outcome-driven and focused on what is best for students. From expanding full-day kindergarten and Career Technical Education to strengthening before- and after-school programs, I have worked to create meaningful learning experiences for all students. One of my proudest initiatives has been expanding Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programming to every school site, ensuring that all students have access to rigorous academics and high expectations that foster curiosity and achievement. Equity and sustainability are at the heart of my leadership. I launched the district’s Equity and Racial Justice Task Force to foster more inclusive learning environments and create equitable conditions for employees, supporting recruitment and retention. To further our commitment to sustainability, I established a Sustainability Task Force to outline our carbon-reduction and educational goals for the next three years. I have championed sustainability initiatives such as solar power installations and an electric school bus fleet—now with over 30 buses and the infrastructure to support them. Additionally, all schools have implemented energy conservation systems, earning 24 of our schools the national Energy Star award. I firmly believe that education and environmental responsibility go hand in hand—we must prepare students for the future while ensuring that future is healthy and sustainable for generations to come. Beyond district-wide initiatives, I am passionate about fostering professional growth for educators and using data-driven strategies to drive student achievement. Whether through leadership roles in state and regional education organizations or developing strategic partnerships like the Merced Automatic Admission Program, my mission has remained the same: to create pathways for all students to thrive. As I prepare to close this chapter of my career, I do so with confidence in the next generation of leaders and the incredible community that continues to shape Modesto City Schools.