School Leadership

Welcome back to a new school year at Ashton Ranch Middle School! 

I’m honored to serve as the new Principal of Ashton Ranch and proud to lead such a dedicated team of educators. It is a privilege to serve this incredible community and I look forward to partnering with you to support the growth and success of every student. As Principal, I am committed to fostering a safe and high-achieving environment where every student can reach their full potential. 

With over 21 years in education, and having served in the Dysart Unified School District since 2012, I bring a strong commitment to academic excellence and student growth. My background includes experience as a classroom teacher, school data improvement specialist, and administrator. These roles have reinforced my belief that all students can succeed when provided with high expectations, meaningful support, and a caring environment. 

My journey in education began at Northern Arizona University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, followed by a Master of Education in Bilingual and Multicultural Education and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. In 2017, I completed a Doctor of Education in Innovation and Leadership at Arizona State University. I am passionate about learning and deeply believe that all students are capable of success. 

My family and I have called Surprise home since 2002. Our three children, all proud graduates of DUSD, are now pursuing their college education. When I’m not at school, I enjoy camping with my wonderful husband, David, and our amazing kids. 

Remarkable things are happening at Ashton Ranch, and I am truly excited to lead such a dedicated team. Together, we will continue to build a culture of excellence, opportunity, and Mustang pride. 

Go Mustangs! 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Kasey Romero 

Principal

Welcome to a new school year.  I’m excited to join Ashton Ranch Middle School as the new assistant principal. I am a lifelong Arizonan and have lived in Surprise for over 20 years. I’ve been in education for 17 years, serving as a teacher, a data specialist, and most recently, a middle school assistant principal. 

I have two master’s degrees, one in Education from Northern Arizona University and another in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. I am a parent of two fantastic adult children, ages 22 and 25, and watching them grow has been my pride and joy. 

In my spare time, I like to code, tinker, and generally find new ways to keep learning, because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that learning should never stop.  This is why I am passionate about helping students develop their own sense of ownership of their learning. 

I look forward to becoming a part of the Ashton Ranch family, meeting all the new faces, building new relationships, and tackling new challenges together.  I’m here to support students, families, and staff as we work toward our common goal of student success. 

Go Mustangs!

J. Carlos Perla

Assistant Principal