Carlos Montes — B.A., Digital Media Arts, 1999;
M.A., Educational Leadership and Administration, 2010

I Inspire Young Minds

Carlos Montes was born in Lynwood, a stone’s throw from Jordan High School Partnership Academy for the Arts in Watts, where he held the position of principal. Under his leadership, the school’s statistics jumped an impressive 100 API (Academic Performance Index) points, and they won the Partnership for L.A. School’s “Parent College School of the Month” trophy after quadrupling parent participation on campus. Along with increased parent participation, graduation rates have improved from 34 percent to 70 percent in just four years. He’s currently working as a Director of Targeted Investment Schools for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Carlos is putting both of his degrees from CSUDH to use. In addition to working school administration, Carlos is co-owner and operator of an independent record label and recording studio in Boyle Heights.