Dear New Horizon Trustees, Faculty, Staff, and Families,

New Horizon School, Irvine has been a part of my life for a quarter of a century! I was one of a dozen founding members who gathered in 1997 to begin formulating the idea of a New Horizon in Orange County. From the school’s inaugural day on September 10, 2001 when I brought my daughter to preschool, to serving on the Board that same year, teaching 1st grade in 2002 and then 4th grade in 2003, and being appointed Head of School in 2004, my love and dedication to New Horizon have only deepened. With gratitude and nostalgia, I am writing to share with you my decision to retire at the end of June, 2024 marking my 20th year as Head of School.

The timing seems ideal. I have always believed that the best schools are those that embrace change, and this is a wonderful time for New Horizon School, Irvine to begin its next successful chapter. Our school is in top notch shape, masha Allah! Our enrollment is strong, our finances are sound, and we have done the groundwork in preparation for our Strategic Plan to define our focus in the coming years. The quality of our school’s faculty, staff, and leadership team has never been stronger, and I consider myself blessed to have worked alongside these skilled, talented, and devoted individuals. In addition, our Board continues to work diligently to ensure the long-term sustainability of our school and its excellent reputation. From every angle, New Horizon is poised for exciting growth and transformation, insha Allah.

For me, too, change feels good and right. Over the last two decades, I have been able to witness the incredible support of the community, the quality of the families and students enrolled, the growth from one campus to two, the transformational generosity among believers in our mission, and the wave after wave of bright children who graduate, enter universities, and grow into impressive young men and women! What a privilege it has been to serve the community over the last two decades!

The true testament of our efforts is evidenced by the exceptional graduates who matriculate into high schools then universities, and continue to be leaders as they excel in their education and service to the greater community – education and service they began as young children in our school. By the Grace of God, I am proud of all we have achieved together, and I will always be grateful to you, the Board, my colleagues, our current and alumni students and families, and our founders for giving me the opportunity. I can honestly say that I have loved the work I have done because I love our school, students, faculty and staff, and the community we have built together!

Although I am announcing my departure now, know that I will continue to serve you, your children, and our school to the utmost of my ability and strength through June 2024 and allow the school’s search committee the time to undertake a comprehensive national search for my replacement.  In addition, I promise to make the transition to my successor seamless.

I trust you know that, wherever my life leads, I will joyfully carry with me the values of New Horizon School, Irvine, as well as the many lessons I learned at this extraordinary place. I end this letter with my sincere gratitude to you and to the Board for your careful, intentional, and considerate leadership and partnership over the last two decades. It has been, and continues to be “the best job in the world!”

Sincerely,
Dr. Dina Eletreby
Head of School