HBCSD Announces New Hawes Principal

Huntington Beach City School District (HBCSD) is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Vanessa Freedman as the new principal of Hawes Elementary School. Ms. Freedman will assume her new role at the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

Ms. Freedman brings more than 20 years of experience in public education at both the site and district levels. She currently serves as Principal of Margaret Landell Elementary School in the Cypress School District, one of the District’s highest-performing schools, where she has led measurable gains in English Language Arts and mathematics through data-driven professional learning communities and instructional coaching, strengthened school culture and student support systems, and expanded family and community engagement.

Ms. Freedman’s prior experience includes district- and site-level leadership in the Adelanto Elementary School District, where she coordinated instructional improvement across 14 schools and led the redesign of the English learner program and the adoption of curriculum. She began her career as a classroom teacher and has also served as an assistant principal, bringing a well-rounded perspective on instructional leadership and student support.

“I am honored and excited to join the Hawes Elementary community as its new principal,” said Ms. Freedman. “I look forward to building strong, trusting relationships with students, families, and staff, and to working together to support every child’s success.”

Ms. Freedman earned a Master of Arts in Supervision and Administration from the University of Phoenix, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of California, Irvine, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from the University of California, Irvine.

“Vanessa’s instructional leadership, her experience strengthening school culture and safety, and her commitment to building strong relationships with students, families, and staff make her a wonderful fit for Hawes Elementary,” said HBCSD Superintendent Dr. Leisa Winston. “We are confident in the steady, dedicated leadership she will bring to the Hawes community.”

Please join us in warmly welcoming Ms. Freedman to Hawes Elementary School and the HBCSD community.