Lori Napolitano is starting her first year as principal of Bonny Eagle High School, but she’s no stranger to the school, the administration or even the incoming freshman.

Napolitano was appointed to a one-year interim principal position on Aug. 29. She first started as assistant principal at Bonny Eagle in 2005.

“Sometimes I miss the classroom because I love (science),” said Napolitano, a former science teacher at Massabesic High School.

But she’s found another passion in the administrative side of things, where she has “an opportunity to be a leader and move the school forward.”

Napolitano was named Maine’s Assistant Principal of the Year in 2011, and was recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals in Washington, D.C., that year. 

This year, the Bonny Eagle administration will be working to move the school forward with a proficiency-based education system, Napolitano said. The incoming freshman – the class of 2020 – will be the first Bonny Eagle students to graduate with proficiency-based diplomas.

Proficiency-based education is a shift in educational standards that has occurred on a state and national level. The change means that students will have to show they are proficient in all the required standards before they receive their diploma.

Under the more traditional, standards-based diploma, students could receive failing grades in some courses or content areas and still receive their diploma so long as their overall grade was a pass.

Napolitano said proficiency-based education is a positive thing for students because it “raises the bar” in terms of achievement, but also provides additional support for students who may struggle to meet the requirements.

Students will have multiple opportunities and means to show proficiency, Napolitano said, and will be allowed to develop and revise their work until they meet the standards.

Napolitano said increasing and improving communication with parents is another one of the administration’s goals for this year. To that effect, the school is holding informational sessions on proficiency-based diplomas and what they will mean for Bonny Eagle students at the school’s open house on Sept. 15.

Napolitano, as well as the new interim superintendent – Paul Penna, former principal – and new interim assistant superintent – Stanley Sampson, former social studies teacher – have all been appointed to one-year positions. However, Napolitano said, this won’t affect the administration’s ability to implement long-term plans.

Because the upper-level administrative positions were all filled from within, she said, “we’re able to continue with previous initiatives and not lose time.” If a new principal comes in from outside the district, it can take months for the person to adjust to the school and the district, thus detracting from the school’s ability to focus on long-range planning.

For example, work on the proficiency-based education initiative, including a “credit recovery program” for struggling students, has been several years in the making, she said.

“I feel like we’re in an ideal position to move the school forward,” Napolitano said of the new administration.

And the rest of the administration is on the same page. Sampson said his goals for the upcoming year are to continue to move the high school forward in implementing proficiency-based education and a proficiency-based diploma. He also aims to be “a positive presence in the school and promote a positive school culture.”

Sampson has been a teacher at Bonny Eagle since 1991.

Penna said the new administrative team has “excited and involved leaders who will successfully guide our work forward.” 

Penna said Napolitano’s history with the district means she has “great experience and great knowledge of the community and student body. She has a lot of insight and understanding into how to move the school forward.”

Napolitano’s son and daughter are both students at Bonny Eagle High School, so she knows many of the students from well before they entered high school.

“It’s great to already have a head start and to know some of the students who are freshman.” she said. “I have it made.”

Lori Napolitano