The principal of D.C.’s premier middle school announced that she is stepping down to join a firm that raises money for charter schools.
Melissa Kim has steered Alice Deal Middle School in Ward 3 for seven years. In a letter to Deal families, Kim said she is leaving for “both personal and professional” reasons.
“As a middle school principal, I have known that the essence of my job is to prepare our students for their next steps in life; as a supervisor of adults, I have always encouraged teachers and staff when another job felt right to them,” Kim said.
“I know that what we have learned and achieved together at Deal can inform broader work across our city. On a personal level, I have a strong desire to spend more time with my new child during his formative years,” she added.
She plans to stay at Deal until December. James Albright, Deal’s assistant principal and IB coordinator, will serve as interim principal. D.C. Schools Insider first reported Kim’s announcement.
Deal has been one of the D.C. Public Schools’ success stories, over-capacity even after a $70 million renovation, at a time when the D.C. Council is holding hearings on chronic middle school under-enrollment.
Last year, 83 percent of Deal’s students demonstrated proficiency on state reading exams, along with 88 percent on math tests. The average proficiency rates across DCPS are 43 and 45 percent, respectively.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Mary Cheh wrote on Twitter, “Melissa is a phenomenal educator and leader. Her departure is a huge loss for [DCPS] but I wish her the best!”
Kim is joining NewSchools Venture Fund, “a nonprofit venture philanthropy firm” that’s raised dollars for DC Prep, Kipp DC, and a number of charter school networks operating — or looking to operate — in the District.
Kim stressed in her letter that she remains on good terms with D.C. Public Schools and its leader, Chancellor Kaya Henderson, saying Henderson has “has witnessed Deal’s progress and has spoken to me personally about her commitment to its continuing success.”
“It has been my tremendous honor to serve as your principal and to get to know so many of you… I love our students and will dearly miss them,” Kim said.
