SANFORD, NC - West Lee Middle School Principal Aimee Petrarca was chosen as one of only four finalists for the Leader of the Year Award in the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative. The honor recognizes her exceptional leadership during the initiative’s first year of implementation.
The Leader of the Year Award honors a principal, assistant principal or district implementation coordinator who has created sustained, school-wide conditions for the successful implementation of the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative. Finalists were selected based on evidence of initiative progress, the development of structures and practices that can be replicated by other schools, leadership that extends beyond their own campus or role, and a willingness to share their work with educators across the state.
Principal Petrarca earned this recognition through her innovative Open Campus initiative, a student-centered approach grounded in trust, accountability, and shared responsibility. The initiative transformed school culture by empowering students while maintaining high expectations for behavior and engagement.
The results have been both measurable and meaningful. During the first year of implementation, West Lee experienced a 24% reduction in instructional days lost to suspensions, ensuring that more students remained engaged in learning and spent more time in the classroom. The initiative has fostered a more positive school climate while demonstrating that strong relationships, student ownership, and clear expectations can drive lasting improvements in student success.
“Being named a finalist for this award is an incredible honor,” said Petrarca. “This recognition belongs to the dedicated teachers, staff, students, and families of West Lee Middle who embraced a shared vision for creating a school culture built on trust, accountability, and opportunity. Together, we’ve shown that when students are empowered to make positive choices, everyone benefits.”
Petrarca’s leadership has not only advanced the goals of the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative at West Lee, but has created a model that other schools can learn from and adapt. Her commitment to continuous improvement and collaborative leadership has positioned West Lee as a shining example of how intentional cultural change can produce meaningful outcomes for students.
Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Dossenbach said, “We are incredibly proud of Aimee and this well-deserved recognition as a Golden LEAF Schools Initiative Leader of the Year finalist.” He added, “Aimee exemplifies the kind of courageous, student-centered leadership that transforms schools. Her Open Campus initiative reflects a thoughtful commitment to building a culture of trust, accountability, and high expectations while keeping students where they belong, engaged in classroom learning. We congratulate Mrs. Petrarca on this outstanding achievement and are grateful for the positive impact of her leadership on our district.”