Announcing the New Bahia Vista Principal, Julio Villalobos!

Posted Date: 5/20/25 (5:04 PM)

Dear Bahia Vista School Community,

I am pleased to announce that at their meeting last evening, the San Rafael City Schools Board of Education approved Julio Villalobos as the new Bahia Vista Elementary School Principal for the upcoming 2025-26 school year!

During the selection process, Dr. Villalobos emerged as the top candidate as a seasoned educator who is deeply committed to fostering a culture of collaboration and student-centered learning. His extensive experience with diverse communities, spanning roles from counselor to principal, have cultivated a strong dedication to equity and educational excellence for all students.

As he takes the reins as Bahia Vista’s educational leader, Dr. Villalobos intends to partner with the entire school community to build upon the school’s current successes and help each child reach their full potential. He greatly looks forward to connecting with students, teachers, staff and families in the near future. In the meantime, Dr. Villalobos has shared the following sentiments regarding his upcoming role:

I am thrilled and grateful to serve as principal at Bahia Vista Elementary. I have a deep passion for fostering a vibrant, inclusive learning community where every student feels valued and empowered. I look forward to partnering with dedicated staff, families and our students to continue building a school culture rooted in equity, community and joy.

Dr. Villalobos comes to Bahia Vista and SRCS with more than 25 years of experience as a bilingual and bicultural educational leader. Currently, he’s an elementary school principal in Old Adobe Union School District in Petaluma, and he’s also served as a middle school principal and an elementary school principal in the San Jose area. Dr. Villalobos got his start in education as a school counselor, where he refined his skills for 13 years across middle and high school settings. Throughout his career, he has stepped up for numerous district committees; supported curriculum development; served as a new principal mentor; and more. Dr. Villalobos earned a doctorate in educational leadership for social justice and a master’s degree in counseling. He will officially assume the role of Bahia Vista principal on July 1, 2025.

A significant strength of Dr. Villalobos’ is his immense dedication to Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) to support a positive, safe and strong school climate and culture where students are engaged and motivated to learn. At the same time, he maintains a sharp focus on academic achievement for all students. To this end, he excels at building relationships based on mutual respect with teachers and staff. Furthermore, he greatly values family engagement and takes the initiative to ensure opportunities for open communication and collaboration. Dr. Villalobos is widely recognized as a student-focused, welcoming, data-driven and proactive leader.

I am confident Dr. Villalobos has the skills and expertise to further enrich Bahia Vista in partnership with teachers, staff, students and families. Please join me in extending a warm welcome and congratulating him!

Sincerely,

Carmen Diaz Ghysels
Superintendent

San Rafael City Schools

www.srcs.org | communications@srcs.org

310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 9490