About Alexis Rucker
Alexis Rucker is the Principal of The Springstone Middle and Community High School in Lafayette, California, a nonprofit, nonpublic, and private school that serves neurodiverse students, mainly focused on Autism and Executive Functioning challenges. Alexis leads with a strong dedication to inclusion and broadening our students’ post-high school opportunities.
With nearly two decades of experience in special education, Alexis began her tenure as a special education teacher at Oakland Technical High School in a counseling-enriched classroom. She felt deeply connected to serving under-resourced and under-served populations. After four years, she made the difficult decision to transition to a nonpublic school setting in Alameda, she focused on teaching mathematics at The Children’s Learning Center to students who were facing emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. Alexis remained purpose-driven in a demanding environment, cultivating a positive classroom culture through trust-building and strong, supportive relationships with her students and families. During this time, she began pursuing educational leadership coursework and knew she wanted to advance into leadership roles to further create change within the field of special education, completing her Master’s at SFSU in 2011 in Special Education and Educational Leadership.
In 2014, after three years working in Alameda, Alexis joined Springstone as the middle school mathematics teacher. Simultaneously, she deepened her understanding of Autism-specific supports, discovering a strong calling to further explore this specialized field. Demonstrating initiative and innovation beyond the classroom, Alexis volunteered her time to support extracurricular clubs, expanded program offerings through experiential learning opportunities, and strengthened alignment with the school’s mission and broader community. She integrated baking and cooking into her instruction to make academic skills more tangible for students, while simultaneously promoting independence, life skills, and strengthening both gross and fine motor development.
In 2017, recognizing her dedication, professional growth, and leadership potential, the founders and directors of Springstone invited Alexis to take on a part-time administrative role alongside her full-time teaching position in the middle school. Eager to embrace the opportunity and challenge, she quickly adapted to the increased responsibilities. With the planned retirement of the founders, Alexis was offered the position of Principal for the 2018 school year. She also accepted the role of President of the Board of Directors, assuming full leadership of Springstone and guiding the school’s continued growth and mission.
As Principal at Springstone, Alexis has led with integrity and purpose, consistently advocating for the needs of neurodivergent students. Her leadership is grounded in empathy and equity, ensuring that every student is seen, heard, and supported. Under her guidance, Springstone has deepened its commitment to embedding Occupational Therapy and Social Skills into the daily curriculum—an effort that requires intentional planning and strong collaboration between school and home.
Alexis has also championed the thoughtful integration of technology in the classroom, enhancing instructional practices while maintaining high expectations for all learners. She believes that when students are given meaningful opportunities, they often rise to exceed expectations. Her approach is rooted in the belief that education should not only prepare students for their next steps, but also empower them to contribute positively to their communities.
Springstone’s whole-child philosophy—emphasizing relationships, advocacy, resilience, and personal growth—remains central to Alexis’s leadership. She is committed to seeking out and applying evidence-based best practices to continually enhance the school’s programs and outcomes.
Looking ahead, Alexis’s vision for Springstone includes strengthening partnerships with families, alumni, and the broader community; embracing innovation and technological advancement while upholding rigorous academic standards; and continuing to integrate therapeutic support into the daily learning experience. Her goal is for every student to leave Springstone ready for whatever comes next—knowing that “next” looks different for every learner, and honoring the individuality and possibility of each student’s path.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION (I.E., EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, NOTABLE ACHEIVEMENTS, CLASSROOM OR LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE)
- B.A.-Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine, 2006
- B.A.- Criminology and Society from UC Irvine, 2006
- M.A.-Special Education from SFSU, 2011
- M.A.- Educational Leadership from SFSU, 2011
Other Interests
Outside of school, Alexis is active in her children’s school community and a proud parent. She also enjoys spending time with her family (including the dogs and cats) and friends. She is also an avid cook and baker of treats. She also enjoys crafting, hiking, and finding the whimsy in everyday life and activities.
The Springstone School’s Mission
The mission of The Springstone Middle School and Springstone Community High School is to provide a rigorous academic curriculum embedded with social skills development, occupational therapy, mindfulness practices, and community engagement—all delivered in small, supportive classroom settings. Our goal is to foster the growth, independence, and achievement of our neurodiverse student population.
Springstone Middle School is the first school in the nation specifically designed to address the unique needs of students with Autism Level 1 and related diagnoses without relying on a traditional “pull-out” model. Instead, therapeutic supports are fully integrated into the classroom environment. This inclusive approach promotes connection, peer relationships, and a sense of belonging, while also building independence and functional life skills.
Springstone Community High School was established in response to strong community demand, expanding the program to serve students in grades 6–12. The high school continues this innovative, embedded model with an increased focus on preparing students for post-secondary success—whether in college, career, or independent living—by supporting them to become capable, connected, and confident members of their communities.
The Springstone School
Grades 6-12
1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette, CA, 94549
(925) 962-9660 • https://www.thespringstoneschool.org
To learn more about The Springstone School, please click on this link: https://parentspress.com/schools/california/lafayette/the-springstone-middle-community-high-school/
About Leaders in Education
Leaders in Education is a special profile series from Parents Press, highlighting the vision, values, and leadership of heads of schools and key administrators across the Greater Bay Area. Through these features, we aim to give the community a deeper understanding of the people shaping children’s educational experiences.
