SMUSD Board of Education Names New SMHS Principal

After reviewing 53 applications and interviewing nine candidates, the San Marino Board of Education voted unanimously last Tuesday night to hire Keith Derrick as the new principal of San Marino High School, the San Marino Unified School District said in a statement Thursday.

Derrick takes over for former San Marino High School principal Loren Kleinrock, who took over July 1 as the District Superintendent when previous Superintendent Gary Woods left for the Beverly Hills Unified School District.

The SMUSD shared Derrick’s background and qualifications:

• Derrick was previously at John Marshall Fundamental School in Pasadena, which was recognized by Newsweek as one of "America's best high schools." 

• Under his leadership, John Marshall's Academic Performance Index (API) scores consistently increased and programs flourished, including Advanced Placement programs.

• He has been a longtime teacher of Advanced Placement Economics and Government and Honors History, a Social Studies Department Chair, a coach, an Athletic Director, an Assistant Principal for Guidance and Supervision, an Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction, and Principal.

• He is an expert in teacher evaluation and in the use of data to guide student, teacher and school scheduling and performance.

• He is a graduate of Arcadia High School and the University of California at Irvine.