Principal's Message

Dear Villa Park Elementary Families, 

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!  

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the Principal of Villa Park Elementary, and am honored to have the opportunity to lead Villa Park as we move into the upcoming school year. It is my privilege to lead alongside a dedicated staff at a school that strives for excellence in education. I am looking forward to learning the community’s rich traditions, and meeting with staff, students, and families to listen to your ideas and vision for our school. 

I have over 20 years of experience in education as both a teacher and administrator in both private and public schools. With my background in Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education, I love being at the elementary school level. I understand the perspective of a parent, the value of high standards in delivering rich learning experiences, and the importance of these foundational years in our students’ lives. 

At VPE, we instill the importance of building good character and the importance of achieving academically.  In addition, we teach our students the importance of following the PAWS (Be Polite, Be Accountable, Work Hard, Be Safe) in order to maintain an optimal learning environment for every student.  We will continue to prepare our students for college and career with the continuous implementation of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) strategies in each of our classrooms and GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) strategies in our 4th thru 6th grade classrooms.   

We are proud to offer various afterschool programs and clubs like our  Robotics, Esports, and Run Club in order to increase student engagement. 

I am dedicated to serving as an educational leader at Villa Park Elementary, and to working with you all as a partner in education to ensure our students’ success. I look forward to collaborating with you to ensure the success of our students. Go Bobcats! 

 

Sincerely, 

Cynthia Santos 
Principal