Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. has been named Superintendent of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the educational advancement of African Americans by the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE).
Dr. Hutchings received the Joseph E. Hill Superintendent of the Year Award at the NABSE annual conference earlier this month. The distinction follows recognition he received last month for his commitment to enhancing educational and economic opportunities for African Americans and other minorities.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hutchings has worked to create opportunities for young people through mentoring and youth development programs. He has also served as an advisor and mentor to future leaders and as a role model for youth.
Dr. Hutchings attributes his own success to the advocacy and support he received as a student here in Alexandria City Public Schools and he is dedicated to ensuring success for all of our students.
ACPS is seeing gains in closing the achievement gap with fourteen of our schools fully accredited for the 2018-19 school year. The school division has also seen sustained strong academic performance in schools with some of the highest percentages of students eligible for free and reduced price meals, such as Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology and Patrick Henry School. Francis C. Hammond Middle School is outperforming the division by 20 percent in Algebra I, despite 81 percent of its students being eligible for free and reduced price school meals.
But it’s not all in the numbers. Success means different things to each of our students and success is almost impossible to achieve alone. We all have a role to play in student success — as administrators, educators, parents, volunteers, mentors and community members.
“Success for every student takes a community that truly believes every child can succeed and deserves to succeed. We must truly believe that every young person, regardless of their life’s circumstance, deserves to be engaged in a high quality education every day. We must find that personal story that makes us be relentless about changing the lives of young people,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
By providing a solid foundation of support and removing barriers that may be preventing students from reaching their full potential, students are more likely to succeed. And, having the unwavering support and the active engagement of dedicated parents, staff and community members can make all the difference. Together, we can see every student succeed.