New Hardy Elementary School Principal Announced

Arlington Public Schools officials announced this week that Kristin DeFrancisco has accepted the position of principal of Hardy Elementary School. She will officially assume her responsibilities on July 1. 

“We are very pleased to welcome Ms. DeFrancisco into a new role in Arlington," said Dr. Kathleen Bodie, Superintendent of Schools. "Kristin brings to her new leadership position her experience as a teacher in the Elementary Level, as well as active involvement in District-wide Committees. Through her years of teaching and active committee work, she brings a deep understanding of the mission of the Arlington Public Schools and the wonderful teaching and learning taking place in our schools."

DeFrancisco has worked in the Arlington Public Schools since 1997, where she first taught sixth grade at the Dallin Elementary and Ottoson Middle Schools.

From 2008 to 2012, she was a third grade teacher at Hardy.

DeFrancisco is currently teaching fifth grade at Hardy. She's been an active participant on the Hardy Building Leadership Team and School Council, as well as on the District-wide Educator Evaluation Task Force. She has also contributed to the District’s ongoing Common Core State Standards curriculum mapping and alignment initiatives.

DeFrancisco attended Regis College, where she received a B.A. in English, a Masters in Elementary Education, and a Certificate in Elementary Education. She received her Middle School and Elementary School Principal licensures through the Massachusetts Elementary Schools Principals’ Association, having completed her administrative internships in Arlington.