The National Association of Secondary School Principals named Georgia educator Wesley Taylor as its national high school principal of the year last week.
In the seven years since Mr. Taylor became principal of the 3,000-student Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga., the graduation rate has increased from 69 percent to nearly 82 percent, and participation in Advanced Placement classes has almost tripled, according to the school.
Lowndes County schools Superintendent Steven Smith attributed the school’s success to Mr. Taylor’s fostering of a culture of collaboration and a focus on college. Teachers at the school each have a gift from Mr. Taylor to remind them of the importance of individual students: a brick inscribed, “Just another brick in the wall?”
Mr. Taylor will be honored during a MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year awards banquet on Oct. 1 in Washington and will receive a $3,500 grant for use to improve learning.
