Each year, the National Association of Secondary School Principals selects one middle or high school principal who excels in their primary responsibility as a K12 leader: providing students with high-quality learning opportunities.
This year’s finalists for the 2025 NASSP National Principal of the Year award are no exception.
Tracie Anderson Swilley, Fairfield Central High School
Swilley has been instrumental in the promotion of many of her assistant principals to the principalship. She’s also helped guide teachers in her South Carolina school to earn jobs as assistant principals.
Throughout the state, she’s supported fellow principals through mentorship opportunities. She believes everyone can achieve with proper assistance and support, and she uses data to guide her school staff in best practices to improve student outcomes.
Andrew Rebello, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School
Rebello accepted the assistant superintendent job at Bristol Plymouth Technical High School in August. In his former role as a principal in Fall River, Massachusetts, he helped boost Diman Regional’s graduation rate to 98% and it was rated the highest-performing high school in the area. He also previously served as a vice principal and central office administrator for Boston Public Schools.
He was appointed to the Economic Development Planning Council by Governor Maura Healy and received the National Milken Educator of the Year Award. Rebello also serves on the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association Board of Directors.
Jon Wilcox, Petoskey Middle School
Wilcox has been the principal of Petoskey Middle School in Michigan since 2015 and has relied on input from his stakeholders to make informed decisions. His ability to cultivate leadership at all levels—from teachers to students—sets the standard for what’s possible in K12 schools.
By building leadership capacity in teachers and students and bolstering tiered supports, Wilcox has helped to create a positive school culture.
“These exceptional finalists exemplify the transformative power of visionary school leadership,” NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe said in a public statement. “They’ve created vibrant learning environments where innovation flourishes, data drives decision-making and every student is empowered to reach their full potential.”
The 2025 NASSP National Principal of the Year will be announced on Oct. 18.
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