BACK TO SCHOOL: New principals for six local Seattle Public Schools

Seattle Public Schools first through 12th graders return to school tomorrow, and this year six local SPS schools will have new principals/interim principals starting their first full school year:

Arbor Heights Elementary – Lauren Porto
Boren STEM K-8 – Adrienne Ollerenshaw
Chief Sealth International High School – Hope Perry
Pathfinder K-8 – Daxa Thomas
Roxhill Elementary – Kelly Bruno
West Seattle Elementary – Ritchie Garcia

We’ve linked each school name above to the official SPS announcement of that principal’s appointment.

P.S. While Wednesdays will be early-release days for SPS schools for most of the year, the first day tomorrow will be a full day. And one more reminder that West Seattle Elementary will start the first day with its annual red-carpet ceremony, in which community members are encouraged to participate.

Dad September 2, 2025 (6:09 pm)

Not a public school, but Westside School also has a new principal, Dr. Daryl Wright.

WSB September 4, 2025 (4:36 pm)

Yes! We reported that, and interviewed him, earlier this summer.

Bradley September 2, 2025 (7:46 pm)

Any more on the why behind the moves? Asking for some friends.

WSB September 2, 2025 (8:06 pm)

We’ve reported on three:
WSE and AHE, longtime principals retired
CSI – new principal first took over amid this
Del Griffith September 2, 2025 (11:01 pm)

Pathfinder made the change during the school year last year. There were many complaints about how the prior principal handled student safety and welfare issues.

Curtis September 3, 2025 (9:20 pm)

Why the change at STEM I wonder?

WSB September 3, 2025 (10:33 pm)

Last year’s principal was an interim principal, Kim Noble, who in fact I met this morning at West Seattle Elementary, where she is now assistant principal (that school’s interim principal, Ritchie Garcia, moved up from AP). – TR

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