Bristol Borough Names New Schools Superintendent

BRISTOL BOROUGH, PA — The Bristol Borough School District has named a new schools superintendent.

School Directors will vote on the appointment of Hope Grant as schools superintendent at its Nov. 19 meeting.

Subscribe

Grant brings more than 26 years of experience in education, including the past six years as assistant superintendent of the Trenton Public School District and nearly 15 years as a high school principal.

Grant has spent more than two decades in Trenton Public School District, with prior roles as vice principal, health and social service coordinator, and as an education development specialist with the New Jersey Department of Education.

"I am excited to begin this work and look forward to building meaningful relationships with students, staff, families, and community members," Grant said in a statement. "I am committed to collaborating to ensure every student has the support, encouragement, and opportunities they need to discover their strengths, optimize their capabilities, and achieve their goals."

As assistant superintendent, Grant pioneered the districtwide Chronically Absent Response and Engagement (C.A.R.E.) process, led implementation and training in Restorative Practices, expanded higher education partnerships and dual enrollment opportunities, and supported career readiness programming and district strategic planning.

Grant previously served as Principal of Trenton Central High School, where she led a 1,600-student comprehensive high school.

During her tenure, she implemented a student progress plan associated with a 33 percent increase in the four year graduation rate from 2013 to 2018.

She also expanded college partnerships, resulting in more than a 100 percent increase in students taking college credit while still in high school.

She also guided Trenton Central High School through the closure of its 82-year-old building and a five-year transition to multiple campuses while a new high school was planned and constructed.

"From the beginning of this search, the Board was looking for a hands-on, visible leader who understands that strong schools are built through relationships with students, staff, families, and the broader community," School Board President Anthony Smith said. "Hope brings that approach. We believe she has the experience, perspective, and commitment to help move the school district forward, while valuing the close-knit community that makes our district special."

Grant holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Hampton University, a Master of Education in Urban Education from Norfolk State University, and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from The College of New Jersey.

Her credentials include Pennsylvania Superintendent PreK-12 Commission Qualification and NJ School Administrator and Principal/Supervisor standard certificates.

A community forum will be held at a date to be determined to introduce Grant to the community.

The forum will include a question-and-answer session facilitated by Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks IU.

Her nomination follows a comprehensive superintendent search facilitated by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) that attracted 23 applicants from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.