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Albany Public School Principal Kimberly Wilkins Tapped to Lead New Middle School at Kelton Court

Wilkins Recently Named One of Two of the Capital Region's "2005 Principals of the Year" by Capital Area School Development Association

ALBANY, NY (June 2005) The City School District of Albany has named Kimberly Wilkins, currently principal of Public School 16, principal of the district's new small middle school at Kelton Court. Wilkins was selected from a large pool of applicants for a leadership position at the district's newest middle school.

Recently, Wilkins was named one of two "Principals of the Year" by the Capital Area School Development Association. The award recognizes outstanding principals in a region of more than 140 school districts for their dedicated service to students. Since its inception in 1991, 29 area principals have received the honor, four from the Albany district.

"Kim Wilkins was selected to lead our new middle school because she is committed to student success," says Scott Wexler, President of the Albany Board of Education. "For more than five years, Kim has worked hard to build a strong community of learners at School 16. Her innovative methods and use of educational 'best practices' created a close-knit family of staff and instructors at the school, which improved student achievement."

Prior to her appointment at Public School 16, Wilkins served as assistant principal at Philip Livingston Magnet Academy and as an instructor at Albany High.

"With Kim Wilkins as its principal, the district's new school at Kelton Court will serve as a model for small middle schools everywhere," says Dr. Eva C. Joseph, Superintendent of the City School District of Albany. "The district developed a comprehensive plan to improve student achievement in our middle schools by means of three smaller schools and one small K-8 school. Kim knows first-hand that smaller learning communities provide students with more individualized attention and safer educational environments."

Wilkins received a B.S. from New York State Regents College in 1989. She went on to receive her teaching certification and an M.S. in Science Education at SUNY Albany in 1993. Additionally, Principal Wilkins is an active member of the community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Albany United Methodist Society. Wilkins has also served as a Board member for the Parsons Child and Family Center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Capital Region, and the Junior League of Albany.

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The City School District of Albany serves almost 9,400 students in 19 elementary, middle and high schools. The district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students in addition to neighborhood schools. The district is more than halfway through its comprehensive facilities project to newly build and/or renovate nearly all of its elementary and middle schools. The ultimate goal of the facilities project is to provide schools with the resources necessary to help students succeed in the 21st Century.