The Secret Behind Richmond College Prep’s Success: Diana Ramirez & Sarah Lego

Diana Gurrola-Ramirez and Sarah Lego didn't set out to become the heart and soul of Richmond College Prep (RCP). But after 14 years of growing alongside the school, that's exactly what they've become.

Diana is the upper school principal (grades 4-8) at RCP. When she first walked into the school, she was just looking for a job. She was commuting from San Pablo to Berkeley to work as a bilingual teaching assistant, and she wanted to find a school closer to home with a community that shared values more aligned with her own. “Someone said, ‘Why not try Richmond College Prep?’” Diana remembers. 

During her interview, she was asked where her three-year-old son was attending school. “When they offered us both spots, that told me everything,” Diana said. She was hired as an instructional aid. 

Sarah is the lower school principal (preschool-third grade) at RCP. She first came to the school as a volunteer in college, majoring in African Studies.  “I walked into RCP not knowing anything about it,” Sarah said, “just that I needed hours for my course.” 

Peppina Liano, the founding CEO of RCP, pulled Sarah aside after watching her interact with the students. “Ms. Liano said, 'I see something in you. You should work here,’” Sarah said. “Next thing I knew, I was hired as an instructional aide."

Diana’s then three-year-old son is now a high school junior. During that time, she has grown from teacher to upper school director. Her family’s history is now intertwined with the school. “His preschool teacher still checks on him,” she said.

Sarah moved from aide to after-school program coordinator, then to classroom teacher across multiple grades. That first volunteer day unknowingly set her on the path to leadership. "I thought I’d just finish my hours and leave,” she said. “Now I’m in the New Leaders program.”

Their partnership runs deeper than just a shared history at the school; Sarah and Diana truly complement one another. Diana builds the deep relationships that form RCP's foundation. Sarah brings the structured approach that turns care into results. 

"They're all my kids, right? And they're all my families, just in a broader capacity," she said. She knows every student's name, every family's story. When parents ask about high school choices, Diana doesn't sugarcoat. "I print out the data,” she said. “If a school has 10% of students at grade level, I tell them, 'Your child deserves better.'" 

One example is how she helped shift RCP’s approach to reading. "When I stepped into leadership, I realized we didn't have a strong school-wide literacy system," she said. Her implementation of DIBELS assessments and phonics instruction drove dramatic change. "We went from 35% to 75% of K-2 students reading at grade level,” she said. 

Building trust with families happened through the consistent effort of both leaders. Diana hosts monthly Coffee Clubs where "we show up with an agenda, coffee, and bagels to talk about everything, from celebrations and challenges," she said. She understands the barriers families face. "Our families work two or three jobs,” she said. “Showing up is hard, but we meet them where they are." 

Sarah emphasizes transparency, like when survey data revealed that 70% of Black students felt respected compared to 80% of students overall. 

"We brought students in, listened to their experiences, then worked with teachers and families to change policies," she said. 

"We have to listen to the students and work with them as a school community to implement changes. It's a multilayered system of support for students, families and staff. It was complicated and takes time to create meaningful change."

Diana and Sarah are also aligned on the importance of building parent power and of uniting county charter school families into a force. Through the 5Cs’ Family Leadership Institute, RCP parents have learned to advocate not just for their school, but for educational justice across West Contra Costa County. "One mom told me, ‘I thought our fight was just at RCP. Now I know that this is bigger,’" Diana said.