Dublin High School Principal Carol Shimizu Announces Retirement

DUBLIN, CA–Another shoe dropped in the Dublin Unified School District today with the announcement that Dublin High School principal Carol Shimizu would retire at the end of the 2015-16 school year, ending a 48-year career in education. Ms. Shimizu has been principal since 2004. Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hanke also announced his retirement earlier this year.

The district will immediately begin the process of preparing the search for Shimizu’s successor.

“It’s time,” Shimizu said. “This is a very difficult decision on an emotional topic. I’ve come to this decision after a great deal of thought and considerable discussions. After 48 years of gratifying experiences, it’s time to pass the baton. I will always consider Dublin High School my home.”

During Shimizu’s tenure, Dublin High School has become one of the top high schools in the region and in the state. Under Shimizu’s leadership:

• Dublin High’s API score (Academic Performance Index) grew from 793 to 880
• The number of Honors and Advanced Placement courses increased from 12 to 24
• The number of students taking AP, SAT, ACT and PSAT has increased along with scores, earning Dublin High School AP Honor Roll status from the College Board
• The school has initiated Academies and Pathways in Engineering, Bio-Medical, Culinary Arts, Visual and Performing Arts and Digital Media
• Graduates have gone on to some of the most prestigious universities and post-secondary programs in the country
• Dublin High implemented the College and Career Readiness program, including the addition of the “Gael Period”, Freshmen Seminar and the Freshman Mentoring Program
• Facilities have been extensively modernized, remodeled and rebuilt to support 21st learning and technology
• Enrollment has grown from 1,197 to 2,292

“Carol has done an amazing job building Dublin High School into one of the top high schools in the state,” said Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hanke. “Not only have we seen an ongoing effort to ensure that every student is college and career ready, but we have also seen the environment at Dublin High transformed through modernization projects and new programs into a place of 21st leadership will be missed and we look forward to finding a new principal that will carry on the remarkable work she and her team have done the past 12 years.”

Prior to her tenure in Dublin, Shimizu served as an administrator at Homestead High School in San Jose, Cupertino High School and Independence High School. She taught childhood development and English at Andrew Hill High School in San Jose. Her career began in 1968 in Manheim, Germany when she began teaching preschool and kindergarten classes.

Dublin High School is a comprehensive 9-12 public high school in Dublin, California.