Each year, members of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 12 nominate exemplary
administrators for awards. These awards not only recognize
individuals but bring great distinction to their school and district. This year, we are proud to announce that
Mark McLaughlin, Principal of Alder Middle School, has been
selected as Middle School Principal of the Year. Mr.
McLaughlin was honored at the ACSA Region 12
Administrator Awards Dinner at the University of
Redlands on April 25, 2011.
When Mr. McLaughlin came to Alder Middle School in 2008, Alder's
API was 647 and ranked 41 out of 42 schools (within the Fontana
Unified School District), ranked last among all middle schools
and had the highest suspension rate of all the middle schools in
the district. In two years as principal of Alder Middle
School, their API rose 119 points for a current total of 766.
Alder is currently ranked number one of all secondary schools
and has the lowest suspension rate among all secondary schools.
Mr. McLaughlin stresses to his staff that all students can learn
and the expectation is that teachers must teach them.
Before coming to Alder Middle School, Mr. McLaughlin was
principal of Maple Elementary School from 2005 to 2008.
During his tenure at Maple, the school raised its API score by
71 points and exited Program Improvement, Year 4.
"We are all very proud of Mr. McLaughlin and it is no surprise
to us that ACSA Region 12 has selected him as their Middle School
Principal of the Year" said Superintendent Cali Olsen-Binks.
"He is an amazing leader and is committed to student success."