Principal's Message

By Dr. Amanda Brode-Rico, Elmwood Park High School Principal

Dear Tiger Students and Families,

Welcome back to what we hope is another fantastic year at Elmwood Park High School! This summer has been spent anxiously looking at our data from last year and planning how we can build off all the positivity from our prior school years. Last year we worked very hard to more effectively communicate with you and I’m happy to say that paid us back tenfold and was demonstrated in our 5Essential survey data this past spring. While I feel that we have achieved that goal, we will continue to work closely with you, as “It takes a village”. 

This year we are very excited about implementing a new bell schedule at the high school that we feel will have substantial academic impact on our students. Now that we will have an universal advisory period, we will have a constant space where students are able to do College and Career exploration, time to visit with teachers that they need to see and an area where we can provide consistent work on their ACT skills. On the note of that, this year all students will sit for a practice ACT-style test prior to them actually sitting for the nationwide exam day in April of 2026.

This year I added new faces to my Building Leadership Team. This team has been a leading factor in the huge success that we experienced here at EPHS over the last two years. My Assistant Principal for this school year will be Ms. Angela Andrews, who is stepping up from the role as Dean over the last two years. Her focus will be our Students Services Team and continuing to build strong wrap around services for all of our Tigers. Assistant Principal of Athletics & Activities is Mr. Tony Sylvester for his second year. He continues to look for ways to grow our programs and this year we will begin to explore the potential addition of both Girls Flag Football and Bowling. Both of our Deans are new this year. Ms. Michaela Vasey will step up from her position as social worker here at EPHS; and, Mr. Manny Zervos will come to us from the Chicago Public School system to help us to  continue to instill a calm learning environment for all students and staff. In combination with them, we have an unbeatable staff who are here to actively help support our students and to ensure their success while also ensuring that they are one day prepared for a productive life outside the doors of District 401!

Let’s have another fantastic year, Tigerland!

With Tiger Pride,

Dr. Amanda Brode-Rico

Principal