Superintendent Sara Noguchi

Sara Noguchi

Sara Noguchi, Ed.D
Superintendent
Noguchi.S@mcs4kids.com

Superintendent's Office
426 Locust Street
Modesto, CA 95351-2631
Phn: (209) 574-1616
Fax: (209) 574-1570

Meet Dr. Sara Noguchi

Sara Noguchi, Ed.D., became the 17th Superintendent of Modesto City Schools in June 2018. She is passionate about equity and social justice and believes her most essential responsibility is helping every student succeed. 

Dr. Noguchi has more than 30 years of experience in education in highly diverse communities, with roles ranging from teacher to chief executive. She is committed to advancing meaningful work in the areas of Equity and Racial Justice,  having led the development of the Equity and Racial Justice Task Force in Modesto, which guided the district forward with policy, practice, and procedure changes.

Dr. Noguchi believes professional development is essential for improving student outcomes. That belief led her to create the Curriculum and Instruction Professional Development Department at Modesto City Schools. Central to her vision is the commitment that site administrators and instructional leaders collaborate and share knowledge. This is evident in the structures that Dr. Noguchi has put into place, including a principal pipeline, the principal coaching model, and approval from the California Department of Education for Modesto City Schools to be a provider of administrator credentialing, becoming the first school district in the County to obtain this level of approval. 

She has also implemented several innovative initiatives during her tenure at the District including the expansion of Gifted and Talented Education, before and after school programs, and activities and athletics at all junior high schools. Her ability to strategize and look forward is integral in the implementation of robust Career Technical Education programming; sustainability initiatives such as solar power, outdoor learning environments, and electric bus purchases; and the development and utilization of a data-rich metrics dashboard that ensures teachers and principals have reliable tools to make informed decisions regarding the instructional process. Rounding out her vision as the leader of Modesto City Schools, she was instrumental in increasing enrollment across the District, implementing a multi-tiered system of supports at elementary schools, and successfully passing several bond measures.

Dr. Noguchi serves as a Board Director for the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, a Board Member for the Professional Development Coalition, a Representative for the Advisory Council of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) Region 6 Superintendents, a Member of the California Association of Suburban School Districts, Member of the Superintendent Advisory Council for California School Board Association (CSBA), and a member of the Northern California Superintendents’ Network.

She has a Doctor of Education Administration and Supervision and an Administrative Services Credential from the University of the Pacific, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University at Sacramento, and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University. She has three children and two grandchildren.