Principal's Message

Dear Cortez Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I am honored to enter my 5th year serving as the principal of Alicia Cortez Elementary School. Whether your family is new to Cortez or returning for another year, on behalf of our entire staff, welcome to another great year at Alicia Cortez Elementary School.

At Cortez, we believe every student can succeed. Our teachers and staff work hard to provide a safe, caring, and engaging learning environment where students are challenged, supported, and encouraged to do their best every day.

Our mission is simple: Every student will achieve high levels of academic success while showing good citizenship. We believe that all students can learn and grow when they receive excellent teaching, the right support, and encouragement from the adults in their lives.

We want Cortez to be a place where students enjoy coming to school each day. Along with strong classroom instruction, we provide fun and engaging opportunities that help students discover new interests, build friendships, develop confidence, and create lasting memories. We believe these experiences help students grow as learners and as individuals.

One of the most important parts of a student's success is the partnership between home and school. We know that students do their best when families and school staff work together. We encourage you to stay involved by talking with your child's teacher, attending school events, reading school messages, and supporting learning at home. Your partnership makes a real difference, and we are grateful for your support.

Thank you for trusting us with your child's education. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with your family throughout the school year. Let’s celebrate and grow together as a school community!

Dr. Gerald Matthews,

Principal