Stepping down as principal at the end of the current school year, Rob Coppo (‘86), creator of the TP Pledge, will conclude a 10-year tenure before the 2026–27 term begins.
In a morning email to the school’s parents, Coppo wrote: “I have been honored to serve our community and I am going to miss the staff, students and families deeply … It is time for me to enter a new role in education, but I have been forever shaped by my time leading this incredible school.”
He discussed the school’s growth over the years and the Falcon student body, staff and families’ accomplishments.
“Over the last decade, TPHS has experienced unprecedented success,” Coppo said in the email. “We continue to be the #1 public school for athletics in California. We have seen our artists, musicians, performers, scientists, writers, engineers, craftspeople, programmers and leaders be recognized in a myriad of ways, and we keep getting bigger.”
Advanced Placement Chemistry teacher, Honors Chemistry teacher and Peer Assistant Listeners (PALs) advisor Angela Willden first met Coppo in 2009 when she started teaching at the school.
“Mr. Coppo is a quintessential Falcon,” Willden said. “He is someone who appreciates this community. He graduated from this school. He values education because of his own personal experience that he talks about all the time. One particular teacher changed the course of his life so he knows how important it is for teenagers to be in a place like Torrey Pines, where they have people that they can trust, that can guide them and help them get on that path to adulthood.”
Willden was “surprised” when she read the email informing her about Coppo’s resignation.
“I didn’t know that he was even thinking about that, but I understand it too,” Willden said. “He’s been here a long time. He’s lived the bulk of his life as both a student and as an administrator. I can see it’s hard to be an administrator, and there are other opportunities out there for him that may be better for his family and for his financial future of retirement. I have no idea what it was that led to that decision, but I totally understand the thought processes that go into making a hard decision like that.”
PALs member Shelly Segal (10) believes that Coppo impacted the PALs program and the student body’s mental health.
“Mr. Coppo works really closely with [PALs], and he’s always very supportive,” Segal said. “And I think it’s really cool how he understands the importance of students’ well-being, and he’s not obsessed over things like test scores and graduation rates and all that, but instead he’s more focused about who we are and how happy we are.”
Sophomore Class President Justin Meltzer (10) noted Coppo’s impact was also felt within the Associated Student Body (ASB).
“He’s really supportive of ASB and has trust in the activities we do knowing that our activities have the right goals for the school,” Meltzer said. “I will miss having him as a role model for the kind of leader I want to become and as a supportive faculty member.”
Following the announcement, the district will begin a “lengthy” interview process for the new principal of the school, according to Willden.
“The search will soon begin for my successor, and rest assured that we will find a highly qualified educational leader to carry on the proud tradition of excellence this school is known for,” Coppo said.
Coppo shared his gratitude for the school.
“Torrey Pines is a special place, and it has been a privilege to serve this community,” Coppo said. “We take pride in ourselves. We take pride in each other. We take pride in our school. I am grateful to be a Falcon forever.”
