Welcome to the Dalzell Lance Campus

Welcome to Camino Nuevo High School – Dalzell Lance Campus Home of the Tigers!

Dear Dalzell Lance Families,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!

I want to begin by saying what an honor it is to write to you as your new Principal. I have spent the last 12 years in these halls as a teacher and as your Assistant Principal, and I have watched this community pour its heart into building something truly special. I do not take lightly the responsibility of leading Dalzell Lance into its next chapter.

This year, we step into a new era, one built on 25 years of dedication, sacrifice, and love for our students and families. It is time to raise the bar. It is time for our Era of Excellence. This year, we are committing to pushing our academics, our culture, and our community to new heights, because our students deserve nothing less. We want to see more Tigers earning four-year university acceptances and more students excited and prepared for life after high school.

I also want to pause and acknowledge what we carried together last year. The 2025-2026 school year brought real loss to our community. And in that hardship, we were reminded of something essential: we need each other. That spirit is what we carry into this new year. We owe it to one another to show up every day as our best selves.

Guiding us forward are our ROAR Principles, the values that define what it means to be a Tiger:

R - Reach for Excellence
O - Opportunities for Growth
A - Achieving Academic Success
R - Respecting Diversity

This year, we are making meaningful investments in student growth. We are adding AP Cybersecurity and AP Seminar to our course offerings, expanding access to rigorous, college-level learning. We are transitioning to a block schedule to give students deeper, sustained access to year-long English and Math curriculum. And we are proud to share that our dual enrollment students achieved a 90% pass rate last year through our partnership with Los Angeles City College. Building on that success, we are expanding to four dual enrollment courses this year, two per semester, so even more Tigers can earn college credit before graduation.

We are also thrilled to welcome Woodcraft Rangers as our new after-school program, bringing clubs and enrichment opportunities designed specifically around our students' interests.

None of this works without you. Families, your presence and partnership make everything possible. Stay connected through Back to School Night, School Site Council, ELAC, Parent Book Club, Cafecitos, College Center Workshops, and more throughout the year.

Please sign up for ParentSquare to stay up to date. Need help? Contact our Interim Student and Family Services Coordinator, Yanet Villanueva

My door is always open and I am so excited to partner with you for this upcoming school year.

This is our time, Dalzell Lance. Let's make it extraordinary.

With gratitude and pride,

Chelsey Nguyen Principal Camino Nuevo High School – Dalzell Lance Campus Home of the Tigers!

About Dalzell Lance

Dalzell Lance High School serves the students and families of Greater MacArthur Park, Echo Park and Pico-Union in Los Angeles. It is part of a community of high-performing public schools that prepares and empowers students for success in college and in life.

Our comprehensive approach integrates academic rigor, community, family, and wellness supports to empower students to thrive in a culturally connected and changing world. Learn more about our approach.

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.

In 2024, Dalzell Lance High School was named a California Distinguished School. The California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes exceptional school for closing the achievement gap and demonstrating exceptional student performance.

A-G Information

A-G Completion Improvement Grant Plan

Academics

College Center Home

Leadership

Chelsey Nguyen Principal	Chelsey has been in education for over 14 years and has spent the majority of her career at Camino Nuevo High School- Dalzell Lance. Chelsey earned her Bachelors in History from Florida State University and her Masters in Special Education from National Louis University. She got her start in education as a Middle School Special Education Teacher in Chicago, IL as a Teach For America Corp Member. She moved to Los Angeles in 2014 and began working as the 10th-grade RSP Teacher at Dalzell-Lance. Chelsey served on numerous school-wide and district-wide committees during her time as a classroom teacher including running the Dalzell Lance Student Leadership Class. Chelsey transitioned into her current role in 2026 where she is striving to improve outcomes for students through purposeful and compassionate instructional coaching. Chelsey loves being a part of the Tiger community and feels incredibly lucky to come to work at Camino every day.
Reuben Gonzalgo Assistant Principal of Instruction	Reuben Gonzalgo has been in education for almost 20 years. While working in his teacher credentialing program, Reuben served in a federally funded, afterschool TRiO program for the West Los Angeles College Upward Bound program where he mentored students from schools throughout the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles. Over the last 17 years, Reuben has taught high school Biology, AP Biology, Marine Biology, and Sociology, spending the last 11 years in the classroom here at Dalzell Lance. In addition to being a high school teacher, Reuben taught extension classes at West Los Angeles College and served in various capacities at CNCA including serving as a mentor teacher in the Avance residency program. This year, he is excited to begin his new role as an Assistant Principal of Instruction and strives to support teachers, increase their self-efficacy, and increase student success. Reuben holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from UCLA and a Master’s of Education from San Diego State University. He is currently working on a Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University.
Dr. Valentino Lockhart Assistant Principal of Instruction	Born in Scotland and raised in the Bahamas, Dr. Lockhart brings a diverse global perspective and over a decade of dedicated educational leadership to his work. He began his career in 2012 as a fifth-grade teacher assistant, initiating a trajectory that led to key leadership roles, including Assistant Executive Director of Special Education, Director of Student Services, Special Education Coordinator, ELA Instructional Coach, and Special Education Teacher. Dr. Lockhart holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Tennessee State University and a Master of Education in Special Education (Cross-Categorical) from Grand Canyon University. After earning his Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education in 2022, he is currently pursuing a second doctoral degree focusing on K-12 Leadership. Guided by the philosophy that "all students can learn and want to learn, and it is our job to meet them where they are and move them forward," Dr. Lockhart is deeply committed to fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments. Outside of his professional life, he is an avid gardener, baker, pool player, and music writer who enjoys staying active through fitness and spending time with his two poodles, King and Karma.
Kirk Takeyama Assistant Principal of Student Supports	Kirk Takeyama serves as the Assistant Principal of Student Support at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy - Dalzell Lance. With more than 17 years in education and over a decade of leadership experience, he is committed to creating a school culture where every student feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. His experience includes leading schoolwide systems focused on student support, MTSS, PBIS, restorative practices, and building strong partnerships with students, families, and staff. Kirk earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from California State University, Northridge and his Master’s of Education from National University. He believes that meaningful relationships are the foundation of student success and is passionate about fostering inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive both academically and personally. He is honored to serve the DAL community and looks forward to partnering with families and staff to support every student grow and succeed.
Yanet Villanueva Interim Student and Family Services Coordinator	My name is Yanet Villanueva, and I have been part of the Camino Nuevo Charter Academy community since 2024. I began my journey as an English Language Development (ELD) Teaching Assistant, where I had the opportunity to support multilingual students and help them succeed both academically and personally. I am currently serving as the Interim Student and Family Services Coordinator, where I work closely with students, families, and staff to build strong relationships, connect families with resources, and create a welcoming and supportive school community. I am passionate about family engagement and believe that when schools and families work together, students have the best opportunity to thrive. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue learning, growing professionally, and making a positive impact in the lives of our students and families.
Jessica Reyes School Operations Manager	My name is Jessica Reyes I am the School Operations Manager at Dalzell Lance HS. I support students and families with communication with teachers and admin. I ensure that our school is safe and ready for our students, so they get the best space to learn in. I have been working with Camino for about 7 years but worked in education with other stakeholders in Camino for about 12 years. I have worn different hats and have seen many students grow from kindergarten to high school. I currently attend Cal Poly Pomona with a major in sociology where I will be getting my BA in Fall 2023. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, I also enjoy being the assistant coach to the high school cheer team. Something I love to do to relax is take road trips with my family and partner . My office is always open, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Even for a simple Hello.
Yesenia Gonzalez College Counselor	Yesenia Gonzalez serves as the college counselor for students whose last names begin with A-L at Camino Nuevo Dalzell Lance. With a decade of experience at the institution, Mrs. Gonzalez takes pride in her role as a dedicated mother to a one-year-old daughter and as a distinguished alumna of Camino '08. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from California Baptist University and a Master of Science in School Counseling, along with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. As a first-generation college student herself, Mrs. Gonzalez is deeply committed to providing support and guidance to the Latino community. Her primary goal as a school counselor is to create an inclusive and empowering environment where every student feels valued and supported. Through offering academic, social, and emotional assistance, as well as college and career guidance, she aims to help students reach their full potential and confidently navigate their educational journey. Mrs. Gonzalez is dedicated to collaborating with families to ensure that every student receives the necessary support to succeed academically and be prepared for higher education.
Rodrigo Orellana Intervention Coordinator	My name is Rodrigo Orellana, and I serve as the Intervention Coordinator at Dalzell Lance High School. In my role, I provide academic and social-emotional support to students, ensuring they achieve their academic goals while also offering necessary moral support. I have been with Camino for approximately three years, beginning as a Teaching Assistant, during which I gained valuable insights into student behavior and its impact on academic performance. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Communication Studies at California State University, Northridge. Originally from El Salvador, I immigrated to the United States at the age of 12. My primary objective is to foster a safe and supportive environment where every student feels confident in their abilities, regardless of their background.