Date:  November 13, 2000
Contact: Irene Cromer
(703) 791-8720

Steven Constantino, principal of Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, has been selected as Prince William County’s Principal of the Year and is also the recipient of the 2000 Washington Post Educational Leadership Award for Prince William County.  The program recognizes an outstanding principal from each of the metropolitan area school districts and one representing private schools in the D.C. area. Other County principals who were nominated by their school communities for the Post award are Carolyn Haley, Triangle Elementary School; Patrice Malloy, Woodbine Preschool Center; Candace Rotruck, Coles Elementary School; and Joan Wilson, Westridge Elementary School.

Under Steven Constantino’s leadership, Stonewall Jackson High School’s International Baccalaureate program has grown significantly.  The number of IB exams taken by students enrolled in the program has increased from 139 in 1995 to 509 in spring 2000.   During Constantino’s tenure, the average SAT verbal score has risen forty-six points and the average math score fifty points. Satisfaction rates on parent and student surveys have increased, while the student achievement gap between minority and non-minority students has grown smaller.  Earlier this year, Stonewall Jackson High School was recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the “Top 100” schools in the country.

A nationally recognized expert and consultant in the area of parental involvement, Constantino has presented at the state, local and national level and most recently developed a “Family Friendly Schools” program.  This program utilizes ParentLink, a computer-accessed program through which parents can obtain grades, attendance and other information.  Constantino has implemented a new program this year called PRIDE, Personal Responsibility in Daily Effort, in which all student achievement, both personal and academic, will be recognized. 

  In 1997, Constantino was selected as Principal of the Year by the Virginia Counselor’s Association and Supportive Principal of the Year by the Prince William Regional Counselor’s Association.  He has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Education to serve on its forum to promote high achievement, one of forty-eight principals selected from around the country.

 The Prince William County School Board will honor Constantino and the other award nominees at a reception on Wednesday, December 6, 2000 at the School Board administration complex at Independent Hill.