St. Elizabeth Principal Wins Top Honor

Vincent Spadoni, principal of in Rockville, is the Archdiocese of Washington’s Distinguished Principal of the Year.

The school surprised Spadoni with an announcement assembly on May 4 attended by students, staff and members of the Archdiocese of Washington’s Catholic Schools office.

Spadoni was recognized "for his superior spiritual leadership and strong commitment to academic excellence," according to a news release from the archdiocese.

“Mr. Spadoni’s dedication is evident in the students’ academic achievements," Deacon Bert L’Homme, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Washington, said in the release. "He sets high expectations and provides the support for those expectations to be met — one of the hallmarks of an exceptional leader.”

The annual award is presented to a principal for achievement in six categories:

1. Balancing management and leadership roles.
2. Setting high expectations and standards.
3. Stressing content and instruction that ensures student achievement.
4. Creating a culture of professional development for teachers
5. Using multiple tools to apply and assess instructional improvements.
6. Actively engaging the school community. 

Spadoni has served as the school's principal since 2004. He was the school’s assistant principal from 1998 to 2000, before becoming principal at St. Ambrose School in Cheverly.

“It is apparent when visiting Mr. Spadoni’s school that he is well loved by parents, students and faculty. His infectious smile and cheerful welcome greets everyone who enters the school,” Wendy Anderson, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and professional development for the archdiocese, said in a news release.

St. Elizabeth Catholic School is a Catholic elementary school for boys and girls in preschool through eighth grade with an enrollment of 520 students. It is sponsored by , and affiliated with St. Francis of Assisi Parish. 

The school has received a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Award in recognition of the schools’ academic achievement.

Click here for more photos from the surprise announcement at the school.