Our Administrators

Welcome to North Monterey County Center for Independent Study. My name is Aida Ramirez, and I am the Principal of North Monterey County Center for Independent Study and the Director for Educational Options.

I have worked for North Monterey County Unified School District since 1987 as a teacher, Bilingual Resource teacher, Title VII grant coordinator, district liaison for charter school, Special Education coordinator, New Teacher Project coach, elementary school principal, Truancy officer,  and director for Adult Education, Migrant Education and continuation. This is my fourteenth year as principal of North Monterey County Center for Independent Study and Director of Educational Options and it is an honor to continue to serve our North Monterey County community.

Our mission is the formation of an educational partnership between students, staff, parents, and the community to foster academic and personal growth in an individualized alternative academic setting.

I enjoy working collaboratively with our staff, students and parents/guardians to ensure that our students are prepared for graduation and their future goals. 

North Monterey County Unified School District is a special place to be and I look forward to continuing to serve our community and our staff, students, parents/guardians at North Monterey Center for Independent Study.

I am delighted to be the Coordinator for Independent Study! This is my 11th year at the North Monterey County Center for Independent Study (NMCCIS) and my 26th year with the North Monterey County Unified School District. At NMCCIS, I have been a classroom teacher, Teacher-in-Charge, and Curriculum/Instructional Specialist. Each NMCCIS student and family comes to us with a unique story and background, and it is my distinct pleasure and privilege to support them in their pursuit of an education that suits their needs. I enjoy working closely with our staff to provide the best individualized and differentiated instruction available. 

NMCCIS is a fully accredited district alternative school of choice that utilizes independent study as the primary instructional strategy and provides an individualized learning program for students. At NMCCIS, we believe all students will:

• Be partners in the learning process;
• Be able to communicate effectively;
• Think critically and support ideas through problem-solving;
• Master state academic standards and graduation requirements;
• Be independent, lifelong learners who take responsibility for themselves and their learning.

This is a great school year, and every day keeps getting better!