Middle School Principal In Southington Named Tops In 2026

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Christopher Palmieri, principal of DePaolo Middle School, has been named the 2026 Middle School Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools.

The statewide honor recognizes Palmieri’s leadership at the Southington school, where he has focused on strengthening instructional practices, expanding academic interventions and enrichment, and building a school culture centered on shared expectations and student well-being.

“I am deeply honored and genuinely humbled to be selected as the Middle School Principal of the Year,” Palmieri, who also serves as a Democrat on the Southington Town Council, said when notified of the award.

“This recognition truly reflects the collective work and dedication of my incredible staff and Southington’s administrative team that I have the privilege to serve alongside each day. I am grateful for the trust and partnership of our families and community, and most importantly, for our students, who remind me daily why this work matters.”

Under Palmieri’s leadership, DePaolo has implemented initiatives including an intervention model, a Leadership Program, Patriot Pride, and a daily “cardio-social” period.

School officials say the programs are designed to provide academic support, leadership opportunities and stronger adult-student connections.

The principal communicates with families through weekly updates and events such as Principal’s Bagel Breakfasts.

The school also participates in community traditions, including Southington’s annual Apple Harvest Festival, part of an effort to strengthen ties between the school and the broader community.

Beyond his administrative duties, Palmieri leads the district’s combined middle school drama club, an after-school program that engages hundreds of students each year.

He has also overseen student leadership-based service projects aimed at extending learning beyond the classroom.

The Principal of the Year designation is awarded annually by the Connecticut Association of Schools to recognize outstanding middle school leadership across the state.

For more information on the Connecticut Association of Schools' Principals of the Year, click on this link.