Guiding Meridian's Educational Vision
Education is more than instruction—it's orientation. At Meridian Charter School, we help students develop the clarity and confidence to navigate an increasingly complex world. Our leadership team brings together experienced educators, administrators, and support professionals who share a deep commitment to student-centered learning, educational excellence, and building a thriving school community.
Our Administrative Team
Our approach combines intellectual rigor with context and reflection. Students don't just absorb information—they learn to question it, connect it, and apply it to the challenges that matter to them and their communities. This philosophy guides our leadership team's work every day as they support teachers, engage families, manage operations, and ensure that every decision serves our students' best interests.
| Role | Name | Experience | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superintendent | Dr. James Morrison | 22 years in education | Strategic vision, board relations |
| Principal | Dr. Rebecca Thompson | 18 years teaching & admin | Curriculum, instruction, culture |
| Assistant Principal | Michael Chen | 14 years in secondary ed | Student support, operations |
| Dean of Students | Sarah Rodriguez | 16 years as educator | Student life, discipline, wellness |
| Director of Curriculum | Dr. Patricia Williams | 20 years in curriculum dev | Academic programs, assessment |
Educational Leadership Philosophy
"Great school leadership means creating conditions where teachers can teach brilliantly and students can learn deeply. It's about removing obstacles, providing resources, and maintaining unwavering focus on our educational mission." — Dr. James Morrison, Superintendent
Our leadership team operates on principles of distributed leadership, transparency, and continuous improvement. We believe the best decisions emerge from collaboration and diverse perspectives. Teachers serve on leadership committees, students participate in governance through advisory councils, and families contribute through our Board of Trustees and various parent committees.
Dr. Rebecca Thompson, our Principal, brings extensive classroom experience to her role. Having taught middle and high school English for twelve years before moving into administration, she understands the daily realities teachers face and works to provide them with the support, professional development, and autonomy they need to excel. Her leadership of our strategic planning process engaged the entire community in envisioning our future.
Supporting Teachers and Professional Growth
We recognize that excellent teaching is the heart of excellent education. Our leadership team prioritizes teacher support through competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, manageable class sizes (averaging 18 students), dedicated planning time, and robust professional development opportunities.
Teachers participate in ongoing training in project-based learning, culturally responsive teaching, trauma-informed practices, and subject-specific pedagogy. We provide mentorship for new teachers, support for National Board Certification, and opportunities for leadership through department chair roles, curriculum development teams, and school committees.
Our instructional leadership team conducts regular classroom observations focused on growth and support rather than evaluation. Feedback emphasizes evidence-based practices while respecting teacher autonomy and professional judgment. This approach has resulted in exceptional teacher retention—our average tenure is 9.5 years, well above national averages.
Student-Centered Decision Making
Every administrative decision begins with the question: "How does this serve our students?" This commitment to student-centeredness shapes everything from budget allocations to schedule design to policy development. Our leadership team regularly meets with student representatives to hear their perspectives and incorporate their feedback into school operations.
Recent student-initiated changes include expanded lunch periods to reduce crowding, creation of a student-run coffee cart to build entrepreneurship skills, implementation of flexible deadlines for students managing health challenges, and redesign of the admissions process to be more welcoming for prospective families.
"The administration doesn't just listen to students—they act on what we say. That makes all the difference in feeling like this is truly our school." — Maya Patel, Student Council President
Family Partnership and Communication
Our leadership team works diligently to build strong partnerships with families. We communicate regularly through weekly newsletters, maintain an accessible online portal for grades and attendance, host quarterly family forums, and ensure administrators are available for conferences, questions, and concerns.
Meridian serves 400 students in grades 6-12 at our Portland campus. We are a tuition-free public charter school open to all students through an equitable lottery system. Our leadership team is committed to ensuring every family feels welcomed, informed, and empowered to support their student's education.
Financial Stewardship and Resource Management
Our administrative team takes seriously the responsibility of stewarding public funds and community resources. We operate with transparency, undergo annual financial audits, and report regularly to our Board of Trustees and the public about our financial health.
Recent investments have focused on competitive teacher salaries, technology infrastructure, facility improvements, expanded support services for students with diverse needs, and enrichment programs including music, visual arts, and athletics. Our strategic plan guides multi-year financial planning to ensure sustainability.
Learn more about our school's history and founding vision, review our mission and values, or explore how to join our community. For information about charter school governance, visit the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
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