A lot goes into becoming a top high school: the students, the teachers and staff, the parents. And a lot more goes on behind the scenes. For a school community to thrive, superior leadership factors into the equation.
As we combed through the data, we wanted to know more about the principals leading the top schools. To get a range of representation across NoVA, we selected the top school on our list in each of the following school districts: Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Falls Church, Arlington County, and Prince William County.
We sent the principals questions about their schools and themselves. Read on to get a sense of how they view their educational mission and stewardship, in their own words.
Ann Bonitatibus
Principal, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria | Fairfax County Public Schools
How would you describe your school’s culture?
In surveys administered to TJHSST students, the words that rise to the top are fun, collaborative, challenging, and competitive. The most exciting part about these descriptors is that everyone works to bring out the best in each other. I am proud each day to see how students, faculty, and staff are committed to mentoring others and uncovering hidden potential. Beyond the unparalleled academic achievements of our school, we have highly successful athletic teams, award-winning performing arts, and we sponsor nearly 200 extracurricular clubs and activities. Our diverse student body has school spirit on full display during themed Homecoming in the fall and international dance performances in the spring.
What role do you play in your school’s academic success?
A principal’s role is to establish the culture and conditions for the school’s success. Student wellness was a top priority of mine when I arrived at TJHSST six years ago. I immediately shared that our children are more than a GPA and that we are a GPS, a guide in life. It’s important that students feel a sense of belonging and that they understand how they can be successful before they ever access our programs.
Over the years, we have focused on managing expectations, decoupling workload and rigor (more does not always mean better), and emphasizing the importance of sleep for physical and mental well-being. When we have happy and healthy students, with clear and manageable expectations, their achievements are boundless. Being mindful of overall wellness has become a natural part of the fabric of TJHSST, so we are now turning our attention to innovative practices. TJHSST has been known as a leader in academic and extracurricular arenas, so it’s important we remain contemporary as we equip our students with skills that will be transferable in their future.
Neelum Chaudhry
Principal, Freedom High School
South Riding | Loudoun County Public Schools
What do you think makes your school one of the top high schools in NoVA?
We are an inclusive school which not only welcomes our vastly diverse population, but we offer a variety of ways to help students prepare for their unique post–high school goals. We have a school community that is focused on academic excellence. Our families are very supported and connected to the school. We also have a school community that embraces our cultural differences and comes together as one. Our teachers offer a culturally responsive curriculum so that all students can feel like Freedom is their home. We also concentrate on hiring staff that reflects the cultural diversity of our student body and community.
How would you describe your school’s culture?
Our school culture is based on our motto, “Where there is unity, there is Freedom.” We base our decisions on this motto. Our school culture is one that can be described as inclusive and caring. Students not only respect diverse cultures, but they welcome the opportunity to learn about their peers’ culture and religion. Our school culture also focuses on student engagement. In addition to athletics, we have over 90 clubs and organizations. Our students are very involved — sometimes, over-involved, but they love it.
Our school culture also focuses on the mental health of our students. Our counseling department works closely with students and keeps tabs on students’ emotional well-being. Five years ago, we were one of eight schools in the country to pilot the Teen Mental Health First Aid program, sponsored at the time by Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. Since then, each year we train all 10th graders in Teen Mental Health First Aid through their physical education classes. This training helps all students know signs of concern in themselves and their peers. As a result, our students seek help for themselves and their peers when it’s needed.
My favorite thing about our school is our students. They are intelligent, driven, actively engaged, accepting of their peers, and welcoming. The first thing that new staff notice about our school is how nice our students are.
Peter Laub
Principal, Meridian High School
Falls Church | Falls Church City Public Schools
What principles do you most take to heart in guiding your school?
While I’m new to my current role, I have worked at Meridian for more than a decade. My vision for this year is to strengthen pride in our school — it’s a word my students and staff will hear me use a lot this year. The pandemic didn’t just disrupt learning; it disrupted the social fabric of school life. Pride isn’t about being perfect — it’s about investing in what you do. My vision is to help students and staff be proud of what they do, all through the year.
What made you realize that being a principal was the right career path for you?
I tell students all the time that when I was their age in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up. Becoming a teacher felt alien to me at 18. But looking back, I do think there is an arc to my life that landed me here. I have tried to live an ethical and generous life dedicated to the betterment of those around me and those I serve. I have always believed in the power of public education for the benefit of society at large. And public education strives to educate every child who walks in the door. Being the principal of a public school allows me to live out my core ethical beliefs at the service of every student in my community. It just feels right.
How well do you think your students know you? What are two things about you that they may not know?
I live in Falls Church, too, so a lot of my students see me in the halls and then see me at the grocery store. I have two young boys in elementary school, and I think my students know how important family is to me. And coffee — this is also really important to me. Two things they might not know about me are that I am terrified of the ocean, and I once participated in a camel wrestling festival.
Kevin Clark
Principal, Yorktown High School
Arlington | Arlington Public Schools
What do you think makes your school one of the top high schools in NoVA?
At Yorktown, our vision is to achieve equity, excellence, and empowerment. We have an incredible student body, a supportive community, and highly dedicated teachers, counselors, administrators, and staff. We get to know our students, their strengths, and how we can best support them. Our program includes the AP Capstone program which empowers students to build skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking, research, and solving relevant, student-selected problems. We encourage all of our students to challenge themselves, by taking a course subject in which they are interested or by taking a course at a higher level of rigor.
We also have outstanding athletic, extracurricular, music, theater, and arts programs with something for everyone. Overall, Yorktown is a wonderful place to learn, and we are proud of everything our students and staff accomplish. Go Patriots!
For students, what are the keys to having success in high school?
Success in high school comes from hard work, getting involved, and making connections. We know that all students can learn and grow at high levels from where they are when they enter Yorktown for the first time.
We want them to grow their interests and passions and develop key skills for success in their future pursuits. We have so many amazing opportunities to get involved in music, theater, clubs, athletics, and academics. Those experiences often make students’ time at Yorktown memorable. High school is also a time when students make lasting connections to peers, teachers, and the community.
Making an effort to build relationships and network helps set the foundation for meaningful relationships and experiences in the future. An example is our Senior Experience program, where seniors participate in internships, work-study, or special projects during the last three weeks of their senior year. Students often report this program helps them build relationships and real-world skills that set them up for success. Another great example is United Sound, which partners students with significant disabilities with peer mentors to learn how to play instruments and then perform with the band. Working hard, getting involved, and building connections lead to success at Yorktown and beyond.
Ryan Ferrera
Former Principal, Battlefield High School
Haymarket | Prince William County Schools
How would you describe your school’s culture?
Our school has a culture of always trying to improve our own culture. That might sound confusing, but our students, staff, and families are problem- solvers. When things aren’t right between each other, various stakeholders bring it to light. We talk about it and figure it out. Over the years, we have tried to have a culture that is healthy because we aren’t afraid of looking at ourselves and being honest about what needs to change or be fixed.
What principles do you most take to heart in guiding your school?
Number one is a strong instructional core — the daily interaction between teacher, student, and content at the classroom level. The quality of a school comes down to what is happening within each classroom. Along with this focus — communication, transparency, family involvement, staff empowerment, and servant leadership are most important to me.
What role do you play in your school’s academic success?
One of the best things leaders can do is find the best people and get out of their way. I try to set the vision and tone for academic success and then serve our staff in helping them maximize their efficacy. I see myself as a coach and a supporter. Our teachers are experts and already know what to do — they just need support to do it.
How well do you think your students know you? What are two things about you they might not know?
I have always tried to be as visible and accessible to students as possible. I think students would be surprised to learn I play guitar and consider myself a fantasy football expert.
Ferrera was Battlefield’s principal for seven years. He left in August to become the instructional supervisor of high school personnel in the PWCS department of human resources.
Feature image of Kevin Clark and Yorktown High students and staff by Michael Butcher
This story originally ran in our October issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
