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Principal's Message

Welcome to Margaret Landell Elementary School…Home of the Leopards!

I am honored to serve as your principal and to work alongside an incredibly dedicated and talented team of educators and support staff. Together, our team brings over 600 years of collective teaching experience, all committed to supporting the success of every student who walks through our doors.

At Landell, we are focused on achieving high levels of student achievement and engagement. This year, we are working toward two schoolwide instructional goals:

  • Writing: All teachers provide direct instruction using Thinking Maps and Write from the Beginning to ensure that students develop strong writing proficiency.
  • Reading and Math: All teachers provide small group differentiated instruction, with an emphasis on increasing rigor in student workstations, to support high achievement in reading and mathematics.

Our vision is to provide a safe and inviting learning environment that supports and enriches all learners. We offer many opportunities for families to partner with us in their children’s education. Throughout the year, we host a variety of family nights and school events to help students and families build lasting connections within the Landell community.

We place a strong emphasis on kindness, compassion, and inclusion. Students are encouraged to treat one another with respect and empathy, helping us build a school culture where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

Landell’s nurturing and supportive environment promotes both academic and social-emotional growth. Our whole-child approach has led to several awards and recognitions, including:

  • California Distinguished School and Gold Ribbon School Awards from the California Department of Education
  • California Honor Roll Recognition from the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence and the Educational Results Partnership
  • Top School in Orange County for the Kids Heart Challenge, in partnership with the American Heart Association, promoting heart health, active lifestyles, and funding groundbreaking heart research

Our P.A.W.S. values—Positive attitudes, Acting responsibly, Working and playing safely, and Showing respect—are taught, modeled, and celebrated daily. These values, paired with the strong collaboration we have with our families, help make Landell a truly special place to learn and grow.

We are proud of all that our students, staff, and families accomplish together. With a shared commitment to excellence, a strong foundation of support, and a clear focus on student growth, Landell continues to be a place where children thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for partnering with us in this important work. We look forward to a meaningful and successful year ahead.

Vanessa Freedman, Principal