Lakewood High School principal Dr. William W. Wagner has been chosen as Ohio’s MetLife/NASSP High School Principal of the Year by the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators.

Dr. Wagner has led Lakewood High School — a school of approximately 1,800 students — since 2003 and joined LHS as a House Principal in 2001. As Ohio Principal of the Year, Dr. Wagner will now be eligible for the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Award and will be recognized for his Ohio honor at OASSA’s fall conference in October.

Under his leadership, Lakewood High has earned an Excellent rating from the State of Ohio six out of the last seven years. He has also helped bring in nearly $1 million in federal  and state grants over the past five years including  a $250,000 federal grant to create model 21^st century classrooms that integrate technology and project-based learning. His leadership has helped maintain the legacy of Lakewood High as a vibrant, culturally diverse learning environment that gives its students real-world experiences and a wealth of opportunities inside and outside the classroom.

“I am truly honored,” said Wagner. “This recognition is a testimony to the work of the many great teachers, administrative team, support staff, parents and students of Lakewood High School as well as the tremendous support I’ve received from the Lakewood Board of Education, the superintendent of the Lakewood City Schools and his cabinet and central office staff. Special thanks also to Mayor Michael Summers, the various city departments with which we partner and the many community support agencies that work with us every period, every day.”

Said Superintendent Jeffrey W. Patterson: “This award certainly speaks a lot about the leadership Dr. Wagner has provided to Lakewood High School over the years as well as to the teaching and support staff at Lakewood High.”

In a letter in support of Wagner’s nomination, House Principal Brian Siftar called Wagner’s “knowledge, humility, work ethic and ability to communicate clearly with all stakeholders … a blueprint for school leaders to follow at every level.” He added that “Dr. Wagner exhibits the highest degree of professionalism and has the personal qualities that resonate with everyone with whom he works.”

Dr. Wagner holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science Education from Ohio University, a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership. Dr. Wagner also holds a Superintendent's License. He is a past president of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators’ Executive Board, and currently serves as National Association of Secondary School Administrators State Coordinator for Ohio.

As Ohio’s Principal of the Year, Dr. Wagner will represent Ohio at a symposium of educational leaders sponsored by MetLife Insurance and the National Association of Secondary School Principals in Washington, D.C., in the fall.