Angela Andikyan

Interim Head of School

Angela has been a dedicated member of our founding team since our campus doors opened in 2016. Starting as an Office Administrator, she has steadily taken on increasing responsibilities as our school has expanded, and recently promoted to the role of Director of Upper School.  In her new role, Angela will work closely with our leadership team to build upon the success of our elementary program and continue to develop our middle school.  She looks forward to guiding students through their high school application process and is dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive environment for our students to thrive during these crucial years.

Angela earned her Bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Development at CSU Northridge and her graduate degree in Psychology from the University of San Diego. She has over 15 years of experience working in mental health and education.  As the proud mother of two Stratford School Altadena students, she knows firsthand the significant impact a Stratford education can have on a child, and she is eager to ensure the vision is realized for all Stratford Altadena students.

Veronica Brenes

Director of Early Education- Early Preschool through Kindergarten

Veronica Brenes has over 21 years of experience in early childhood education, within both public and private school settings as a teacher and Site Supervisor. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. Throughout her career, Veronica has taken on various roles that reflect her versatility and dedication to the field.

For nearly the past decade, she has been a valued member of the Stratford community, where she began as a Pre-K teacher and later served as a Mandarin-English Bilingual Teacher, Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teacher, Summer Program Coordinator, and Substitute Director. The Stratford community holds a special place in her heart.  Teaching children in Pre-Kindergarten and watching them grow year after year has been a truly inspiring and rewarding experience for Veronica. It’s been equally meaningful to see her daughter, Lyla, become one of the first eighth‑grade graduates at Stratford Altadena. It’s truly a testament to the community’s nurturing environment and the value of a strong early foundation.

Veronica believes establishing a strong early foundation is essential for every child’s growth. “By creating a safe, nurturing environment, we teach fundamental values, respect, collaboration, and self‑confidence in a way that lets each child thrive on their terms. When children feel secure and encouraged to embrace their uniqueness, they develop the courage to share their ideas and explore freely. This sense of self‑assurance fosters an open‑ended learning atmosphere where creativity flourishes and children become eager to reach their full potential. As a teacher, I am responsible for remaining imaginative and inspiring, guiding each child toward a lifetime of curiosity and confidence.”

As a mother to a soon-to-be high schooler, Veronica knows firsthand the importance of finding a school that embodies the same sense of community she cherishes at Stratford. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is both excited and emotional about her daughter’s transition to high school. You’ll find Veronica on the soccer field each weekend, cheering Lyla on and creating cherished family memories.

Veronica looks forward to welcoming you to Stratford and sharing the warm, supportive community that means so much to her and her family.

Patrizia Ribaya

Director of Lower School

Ms. Ribaya is a founding teacher and a proactive member of the Altadena campus. She started as an elementary floater then a kindergarten teacher, became a 3rd grade teacher, has helped out at extended day, and has briefly taught in middle school for a few months.  

With over 18 years of experience in the field of education as a lead teacher, in both early childhood education and elementary education, Ms. Ribaya brings a wealth of experience to our leadership team.

Ms. Ribaya is a passionate, devoted teaching professional that has the ability to bring out the best in each student by instilling in them lasting values and a love for learning. She is a pioneer educator that has the power to reach out to the hearts of every student she teaches and every family she serves. 

She is an advocate for lifelong learning and believes that all children have the potential to absorb and maximize their academic abilities when offered a learning environment that is safe, stimulating, and appropriate to their level.

Briana Serrano

Director of Admissions

Briana brings over 10 years of experience in education and admissions. Throughout her career in both K–12 education and college admissions, she has warmly guided students and families through important transitions, always with a welcoming smile and genuine care.

Briana earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Cal Poly Pomona and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. She believes that learning is a transformative journey—one that goes beyond academics to nurture personal growth, resilience, and curiosity. By creating supportive environments that encourage exploration and connection, she is dedicated to helping every student discover and achieve their full potential.

Melanie Gordon

Regional Director

As Regional Director, Melanie Gordon joined Spring Education Group in 2019 and supports the Stratford Schools in Southern California as well as two campuses in Northern California.  An experienced multi-site leader in private education, she works directly with campus leaders in all areas of school operations.  Melanie has a Master’s in Educational Leadership and is most passionate about developing teams who provide excellent student outcomes along with creating a strong culture of care and community.