Skip To Main Content

Header Holder

Breadcrumb

ACHS Executive Principal Search Process

Alexander Duncan III has been selected as the new executive principal for Alexandria City High School (ACHS), effective July 1, 2023.

June 22, 2023

Greetings ACHS Titans,

I am delighted to introduce myself as the new executive principal of Alexandria City High School (ACHS) effective July 1, 2023. Over the past 20 years, I have worked as a teacher and administrator and have made student advocacy a pinnacle of my career’s work. As a proud Titan, with over 10 years experience working with ACHS, I have witnessed, first hand, our school’s passion for learning and commitment to students. And, I continue to remain optimistic about our future, as well as about the success of our students, community and staff. I would also like to give a shout-out to Mr. Peter Balas for the wonderful work he’s done leading our high school through our historical expansion. No doubt, he is truly a shining star and I count it an honor to call him a colleague and friend.

As the African Proverb states, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Indeed, we are a village, no matter the roles we play, and each of us has an impact on the day-to-day operations of our school and the lives of our students. As such, the work we do is not only pivotal in our students’  education, but it’s life’s work that is, no doubt, impactful and transformative. And, my goal is to ensure that all staff and students feel heard and that our school is a safe space for students to learn and staff to work.

In the upcoming weeks, I will spend time with our students, staff and community--getting to know you and hearing your feedback. I will also meet with ACHS’ leadership to assess what’s worked and note any areas of concern. As your executive principal, I am committed to celebrating our successes, small and large, and supporting our school with reaching and maximizing our fullest potential. This commitment begins with building an outstanding leadership team. First, over the past two years Mr. Speich has led ACHS' Special Education Department, 9-12, and the King Street Campus. For the 2023-2024 school year, he has elected not to return to ACHS. Instead, he will serve at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School as an assistant principal. Next, on July 3, 2023, we will welcome Tiffany Barner to our leadership team as assistant principal. Tiffany has been a member of the ACHS school community since 2018. We look forward to Tiffany bringing her strengths of building school culture and climate and instructional leadership to our team. With the departure of Mr. Speich to his new role at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, we will immediately begin the search for a new campus administrator. 

I am so thankful to have the opportunity to expand on all I have learned and experienced to our awesome Alexandria City High School community. Throughout the remaining summer weeks, please take time for self care. Whether your summer plans take you abroad or you remain local, please make time for rest and relaxation. Over the next few weeks, the administrative team will be hard at work planning for the upcoming school year. We are both reflecting and developing action steps so we may effectively serve our ACHS community this August and into the school year. Once again, I am excited to see each of you in person. I look forward to serving you!

Best Regards,

Alexander Duncan III, M.S.

Executive Principal Meet and Greet - June 12, 2023

Leadership Profile: Executive Principal—Alexandria City High School

Search Timeline

  • May 15, 2023—Post Job Description/Announcement.  Communicate Process to Stakeholders.
  • May 16, 2023—Post online survey for staff, parents, students, and community members.
  • May 22, 2023—Online survey closes.
  • May 24, 2023—Post Leadership Profile based on survey results. 
  • May 26, 2023—Application review to select five to seven candidates for first round panel interviews.
  • June 6 & 7, 2023—First Round Panel Interviews.  The goal is to narrow the field of candidates for second round interviews.
  • June 9, 2023—Second Round Panel Interviews.  The goal is to narrow the field to two finalists.  
  • June 12, 2023—Finalists Meet and Greet Staff and PTA/Community. Two separate virtual webinars are held.  The community webinar is posted online for three days.
  • June 13–15, 2023—Staff and parents/community provide feedback on finalists from virtual meet and greet sessions.
  • June 16, 2023—Individual interviews of two finalists with the Superintendent of Schools.
  • June 22, 2023—ACPS Special Called School Board Meeting.