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.

Lisa Vasquez

Director of Early Childhood Education

“I believe that every child deserves an enriching educational experience.”

Lisa Vasquez brings over 24 years of experience in private school education with a special emphasis on early childhood development to her role as a the Director of Early Childhood Education at Stratford’s Altadena Allen campus.

Lisa believes that every child deserves and is entitled to an enriching educational experience that focuses on the whole child. Her goal is to create a stimulating learning environment that fosters confidence and encourages each child to reach his or her full potential.

Great relationships with children and families are paramount to Lisa, as she strives to create an outstanding and personalized educational experience for each student.

Lisa is excited to be part of the Stratford family and looks forward to continuing her own educational journey.

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.