Welcome to the Eisner Campus

Hello and Welcome to Camino Nuevo Castellanos and Eisner, a dual-language TK-8 school serving the community of West Adams. I am Suzette Torres, your Principal.

A little bit about me. From the human perspective, I am a mother of three and a grandmother of seven and my kids are my guide, my motivation, my drive. I was emancipated at the age of 15, needing to learn self-sufficiency from an early age. From the professional lens, I earned my teaching credential from Cal State Los Angeles, my AB from Occidental College and my MA.Ed. from Cal State Northridge. I have been in the world of education for 26 years, in the charter world for 20 and this is my second year at Castellanos-Eisner.

Castellanos-Eisner’s values and social mission are grounded in C.A.R.E, - Comunidad, Alegria, Respeto y Equidad. At CAS-EIS, we combine our rigorous instructional program, which includes dual language, STEM and art, with our whole-child lens - ensuring our students are not just academically prepared, but that they are also socially and emotionally healthy. We fervently believe that your child’s success requires us to work in concert, parents, teachers, students and school leaders, in order to prepare our children to be responsible, independent adults of good character and confident to face the challenges and struggles encountered in adulthood.

We have a lot of work ahead of us in order to accomplish this goal. We invite you to join with us through workshops, coffees, volunteering throughout the school day, in ParentSquare, email, and more. There is no impediment to our collaboration in the interest of our students.

I invite you to join us, not only in the celebrations of our students’ successes, but in the important work happening every day in our classrooms. Together, let us uplift our students, support their growth, and make this a year full of learning, joy, and meaningful connection.

With Gratitude and in Service,
Suzette Torres

About Eisner

The Jane B. Eisner Middle School is part of the Camino Nuevo Charter Academy network. We are a caring and supportive community that is committed to serving the children and families in the West Adams/Harvard Heights neighborhood.

Our school is small with about 270 students in grades 6-8. This allows us to give students individual attention and constant feedback to help them grow and improve. Our focus is on preparing students for high school and college and empowering them to be agents of social change. This approach sets our middle school apart from others in the neighborhood.

We foster an inclusive environment in which each student is valued and encouraged to succeed. Teachers and students build close relationships and parents are involved in their child's education. We strive to help each child reach their full potential so that they can thrive in middle school and then in high school. Learn more about our approach here.

Our mission is to educate students in a college preparatory program to be literate, critical thinkers, and independent problem solvers who are agents of social justice with sensitivity toward the world around them.

You can access our most current charter renewal petition and other documents by clicking here.

Leadership

Suzette Torres CAS/EIS Principal	Suzette Torres, MA.Ed. is a seasoned and visionary educational leader with over 15 years of experience driving transformational change in K–12 schools. She specializes in leveraging data-driven strategies, systems thinking, and inclusive practices to improve student outcomes and build strong, equity-centered school cultures. Suzette leads strategic initiatives focused on personalized learning, social-emotional development, and continuous instructional improvement. Previously, Suzette held principal roles at TEACH Public Schools and Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, where she successfully led WASC accreditation renewals, implemented Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and fostered restorative, trauma-informed environments. Her leadership consistently resulted in improved academic performance, staff development, operational efficiency, and strong family-community partnerships. Suzette holds a Master’s in Educational Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a B.A. in History from Occidental College. She is recognized for her expertise in instructional leadership, charter accountability, school operations, and building collaborative school cultures that prioritize both academic excellence and student well-being.
Frances Melchor CAS/EIS Assistant Principal of Student Supports	Frances Melchor is a first-generation educator and student support leader who is passionate about restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and creating school communities where all students feel a strong sense of belonging. She began her career as a school counselor and most recently served as a Newcomer School Counselor in Boston Public Schools, supporting multilingual immigrant students and families. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Frances recently returned home after six years in Boston to be closer to family and is excited to join Camino Nuevo as Assistant Principal of Student Supports. As someone who comes from a low-income background, she is deeply committed to educational equity and ensuring that every student has access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive. Outside of work, Frances enjoys hiking, camping, long walks with her dog Coco, and reading books that challenge her to keep learning and growing.
Yesenia Rivas CAS/EIS Student and Family Service Coordinator	Yesenia Rivas-Hernandez is the Family Services Coordinator for families for both the CNCA Jose A. Castellanos and CNCA - Jane B. Eisner MS campus. This year, she is excited to officially serve families for 10 years at Camino Nuevo. Prior to joining the school's leadership team, she worked for Youth Policy Institute for nine years. There she developed a passion for working with children and families as a tutor, serving students in the Pacoima and San Fernando area. She has an extensive background in coaching, budget management, workshop development and facilitation, and cultivating connections from school to home. Yesenia graduated with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from California State University, Northridge. In her spare time, Yesenia enjoys doing family activities and going out to explore new places.
Audriana Mendoza CAS/EIS Lead School Operations Manager	Audriana Mendoza is the Lead School Operations Manager for both the CNCA Jose A. Castellanos and CNCA Jane B. Eisner campus. Supporting students and building meaningful connections with families is at the heart of everything she does. With over 10 years of experience in education, she is passionate about creating a school environment where every child feels welcomed, valued, and encouraged to succeed. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on the Dodgers, and exploring new coffee shops. She looks forward to partnering with our scholars and families to make this a wonderful year of learning, growth, and community.
Jessica Alvarado Culture Coordinator	Jessica Alvarado serves as the Culture Coordinator for Camino Nuevo Charter Academy's Jane B. Eisner campus. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies with a minor in Theatre and Dance from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Jessica brings more than a decade of leadership experience in expanded learning, youth development, and educational programming, along with over 20 years of experience as a theatre educator and teaching artist. She founded a student-devised theatre program centered on student voice, empowering young people to write, develop, and perform original stories inspired by their lived experiences. Through this work, she created spaces where students felt a deep sense of belonging, discovered the power of their voice, and developed confidence as artists and leaders. Throughout her career, Jessica has designed and led student-centered programs, coached and developed staff, and partnered with schools and families to create safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environments. She believes that every student deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and connected, and that a strong culture of belonging is the foundation for academic, social, and emotional success. Her work is grounded in relationship-centered leadership, restorative practices, and fostering environments where every member of the school community has the opportunity to thrive. Jessica is honored to join the Camino Nuevo Charter Academy community and looks forward to collaborating with students, families, staff, and school leaders to cultivate a culture of belonging where every member of the CNCA community feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Contact Us

2755 W 15th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90006

Phone: 323-358-2030

Eisner Programs