Superintendent's Office
Superintendent
Dr. Danielle Cortes
Email: dcortes@pleasantvalleysd.org
Phone: (805) 389-2100 x1101
Qualifications: Ed.D. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Walden University M.A. Educational Administration, CSU, Northridge B.S. Biology, CSU, Northridge
Dr. Cortes was appointed as Pleasant Valley School District Superintendent of Schools by the Board of Trustees on May 20, 2021. She was selected by the Board to continue to ensure excellence for all students in the district focus areas of high academic achievement, healthy learning environments, responsible stewardship of resources, and effective communication.
Her strengths in the areas of collaboration, implementing innovative programs, garnering resources, and ensuring positive student outcomes will support the district’s collective work and initiatives including bolstering multi-tiered systems of support to meet students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
Prior to her appointment as Superintendent, Dr. Cortes served students in Ventura County for over 20 years, most recently in a variety of leadership roles in the Ventura Unified School District. Her past positions include assistant principal at the middle school and high school levels, elementary principal, elementary director, and Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services. She has over 10 years of K-12 teaching experience in the Ventura Unified and the Ocean View school districts. Her career is hallmarked by work that increases positive student outcomes including a commitment to addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Dr. Cortes received her Doctor of Education degree from Walden University in the area of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. She holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees from California State University, Northridge. Dr. Cortes participates in a variety of professional organizations including the Association of California School Administrators and the California Association of Bilingual Education. In both 2019 and 2012, she was recognized as the Curriculum and Instruction Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.
Dr. Cortes grew up in Orange County and moved to Ventura County in 1999. She and her husband have four children and one grandchild.