Eric Hale of Bryan Station High School is Kentucky's 2024 Secondary Principal of the Year. This award recognizes his exceptional leadership and dedication to educational excellence. As the state honoree, Hale is in the running for the national award sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
“This is a team award and not a solo recognition,” said Hale, who called the recognition humbling. “The positive impact that others have had on me is immeasurable, and I can never thank them enough. Our students, faculty, administration, and school community are collectively focused on creating a school culture of positive student outcomes, and our work is far from finished. It is an exciting time to be the leader of Station Nation.”
As principal, Hale has transformed The Academies of Bryan Station High School into a model of academic excellence through focused systems, structures, and relationships. The school serves over 2,000 diverse students from more than 40 countries. Under Hale’s leadership, student academic performance and graduation rates have significantly improved, and postsecondary readiness has reached record highs. Bryan Station has also achieved top district scores in staff working conditions, reflecting a culture of mutual respect and teacher empowerment. Hale’s efforts to foster a sense of belonging have led to high student participation in sports and extracurricular activities. His leadership unites the school community around the belief that all students can achieve.