New Principal Selected For Alexandria City High School To Replace Exiting Balas

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria City High School will be gaining a new principal in the new school year after Executive Principal Peter Balas leaves.

Alexander Duncan III was named the new executive principal, effective July 1, 2023. Duncan has experience in the high school system as the campus administrator for Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus since 2021. Duncan first joined Alexandria's school district in 2007 as an English teacher and has served in positions like departmental leader, dean of students, assistant principal, and summer school principal.

"Over the past 20 years, I have worked as a teacher and administrator and have made student advocacy a pinnacle of my career’s work," said Duncan in a message to the high school community. "As a proud Titan, with over 10 years experience working with ACHS, I have witnessed, first hand, our school’s passion for learning and commitment to students. And, I continue to remain optimistic about our future, as well as about the success of our students, community and staff."

Duncan announced a few other leadership changes coming to the high school. Christopher Speich, the acting campus administrator for the King Street Campus and leader of the high school's special education department will become assistant principal at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School. A search has begun for a new campus administrator.

On July 3, Tiffany Barner will become assistant principal at Alexandria City High School. Barner has been involved with the high school since 2018.

Duncan said he will meet with students, staff, the community and high school leadership in the coming weeks to get feedback.

Balas, the departing principal, announced in May he would take a new position as principal at Wakefield High School in Arlington.

"I would also like to give a shout-out to Mr. Peter Balas for the wonderful work he’s done leading our high school through our historical expansion," wrote Duncan. "No doubt, he is truly a shining star and I count it an honor to call him a colleague and friend."

A search process for a new principal started in May, leading to community meet-and-greets with two finalists.

Another principal in Alexandria's school district, Liza Burrell-Aldana of Mount Vernon Community School, is resigning at the end of June. Burrell-Aldana was named the Washington Post's 2023 principal of the year.