School Leadership Announcement - Fall 2026

Dear The Rice School Families,

It is with a heavy heart that I share that, due to family circumstances, I will be stepping down from my role as principal of The Rice School, effective immediately.

Serving as your principal has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my career. The Rice School is more than a school. It is a community built on relationships, care, and a shared commitment to our children. I recognize that this news may come as a surprise and may bring questions or uncertainty for our students, staff, and families. Please know that this decision was not made lightly, and I am deeply grateful for the understanding and grace of The Rice School community during this time.

Throughout my time at The Rice School, I have grown not only as a leader, but also as a person. I am grateful for the trust you placed in me, the partnerships we built, and the opportunity to be part of your children’s educational journeys. The memories, relationships, celebrations, and challenges we have shared will remain with me for years to come.

While I am stepping away from my role, I remain confident in the strength of this school community and the dedicated educators and staff who serve our students each day. The Rice School will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will remain proud of all that this community represents.

I am also pleased to share that Mr. Zachary Lyons has been selected as the principal of The Rice School for the 2026–2027 school year. Mr. Lyons brings 13 years of experience in public education across El Paso ISD and Houston ISD, including seven years as a campus administrator. I am confident in his leadership and in his ability to continue building upon the strong foundation of excellence and progress that has already been established at Rice. I look forward to supporting him as he begins this next chapter of his career.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and, most importantly, for allowing me the privilege of serving your children. I leave this role with tremendous gratitude and sincere appreciation for the entire Rice School community.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Principal Montelongo