Principal's Message

Dear Simons Middle School Students, Families, and Pomona Community,

It is with immense joy, gratitude, and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the 2026-27 school year at Simons Middle School!

As your Principal, I am deeply honored to serve this incredible community and to partner with you in making this school year a transformative, rewarding, and joyful experience for every child. To me, education is so much more than a profession, it is a calling and my greatest passion. Having spent over a decade in education, including seven years in the middle school classroom and five years in school administration, I have a profound appreciation for the middle school years.

Middle school is a unique and dynamic crossroads in a student's educational journey. It is a time of exciting discovery, rapid growth, and personal development. My core leadership philosophy is rooted in a heart-centered, relationship-driven approach. I firmly believe that a school should feel like a true "home" , a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every student feels seen, heard, valued, and empowered to succeed.  

At Simons, we are committed to supporting the whole child. While academic rigor and high expectations are central to our mission, we know that true excellence happens when we nurture students' intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth in equal measure. Through positive behavior frameworks (PBIS), multi-tiered support systems (MTSS), and restorative practices, we create a campus culture built on mutual respect, kindness, and personal responsibility.  

As an administrator, I consider myself the campus "Head Learner." I work hand-in-hand with our dedicated teachers and staff to foster engaging, forward-thinking classrooms where students are encouraged to think critically, explore new ideas, and embrace technology. Middle school is a time to take healthy intellectual risks, and our goal is to inspire a lifelong love of learning and discovery in every child.  

A thriving school relies on strong, transparent, and trusting partnerships between home and school. You are your child’s first and most important teacher, and your voice, presence, and collaboration are essential to our school family. Whether participating in campus events, joining our parent committees, or reaching out for a check-in, please know that my door is always open.  

I am excited to see all that our students will accomplish this year as we work together to ignite their potential and prepare them for high school and beyond!

Thank you for entrusting us with your children and for welcoming me into the Pomona community.  Here’s to a wonderful, inspiring, and successful school year at Simons Middle School!

Nikole Burgess

Principal, Simons Middle School