Rodolfo Ornelas
Principal at Oakland School for the Arts
Email: rodolfo.ornelas@lighthousecharter.org
Rodolfo is originally from Sacramento, California. He attended UC Davis for his bachelor’s
degree and Johns Hopkins for his master’s degree in education. After beginning his career as a
Spanish teacher for District of Columbia Public Schools, he moved to beautiful Oakland in 2017
to take a position as an assistant principal serving the Sobrante Park community, supporting
their efforts to establish a strong, equity-centered community. Emerging from the pandemic, he
served as principal of a small charter high school, working to re-open their doors, re-establish
traditions, and ensure social-emotional well-being after unprecedented times. Born to Mexican
immigrant parents, Rodolfo is the youngest of three and the first in his family to graduate
college. His personal journey through the education system, from overcoming barriers faced by
his siblings to receiving transformative support from a high school counselor, drives his
commitment to ensuring all students receive an exceptional education regardless of their zip
code. In his free time, he loves to travel, having visited Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and
Costa Rica. He is passionate about learning, speaks three languages, and enjoys cooking.
Rodolfo leads with values centered on equity, opportunity, and fostering a joy of learning for all
students.