After an extensive and thorough selection process, Wilmette Public Schools District 39 is pleased to announce Anthony Haduch as the next Principal of Highcrest Middle School. Haduch, who currently serves as the Assistant Principal at McKenzie Elementary School in Wilmette, was approved at tonight’s Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. He will continue in his current role at McKenzie through the end of the current school year and will begin his new role as principal on July 1.
“It is an honor to assume the principal position at Highcrest Middle School,” said Haduch. “Our Highcrest community is truly invested in the growth and development of our students. I am eager to start working with the Highcrest faculty and staff, families, and, of course, the students to continue to grow the culture of connectedness that they have created and achieve great things together.”
Haduch is in his seventh year as an educator in District 39, arriving in Wilmette in 2018 after serving as a middle-grade level teacher and STEM curriculum lead in Arizona. After one year as a 3rd-grade teacher at Central Elementary, Haduch moved into an administrative role. He served as the Assistant Principal for both Central and McKenzie Elementary during the 2019-20 academic year before assuming the full-time Assistant Principal position at McKenzie in Fall 2020, where he has served with distinction for the past five years. He received his Principal Licensure in 2018 and is currently a candidate for a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, expecting to complete his studies this December.
In addition to the many positive and supportive relationships that he has built with teachers, staff, students, and families in his current role, Haduch has led the implementation of school-wide programs that align with both McKenzie’s and District 39’s vision and goals and promote a positive and rigorous learning environment within the building. He has worked extensively to foster a collaborative professional learning community by mentoring teachers, providing individualized support, and offering targeted professional development opportunities for our educators.
Outside of his assistant principal duties, Haduch also helped design and implement our District 39 Summer Enrichment Program, recruiting and supervising our instructional teams while also managing the day-to-day operations of the program.
“We are very excited to announce Anthony Haduch as the next Principal at Highcrest Middle School,” stated Dr. Kari Cremascoli, District 39 Superintendent. “Anthony is an experienced educational leader and relationship builder with a history of success in promoting student achievement and cultivating a positive school culture. He truly embraces a collaborative and inclusive learning environment and he is well-prepared to lead our Highcrest community.”
Wilmette Public Schools District 39 serves approximately 3,200 students in PreK-8th grade throughout Wilmette and in parts of Glenview. A District 39 education engages, empowers, and inspires its students to lead academically successful, socially responsible, compassionate, and purposeful lives. District 39 is committed to providing a safe and equitable learning environment that fosters a mindset of empathy, respect and belonging for all students and staff.