Welcome

July 13, 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is with great excitement, gratitude, and humility that I introduce myself as the Principal of DuVal High School. I am honored to join a school community with a rich history, strong traditions, and tremendous potential. As I begin this new journey, I look forward to listening, learning, and partnering with each of you as we continue building upon DuVal's legacy while creating new opportunities for excellence and success.

For more than two decades, I have dedicated my career to serving students and families throughout Prince George's County and beyond as a teacher, school counselor, district master scheduler, assistant principal, and principal. These experiences have reinforced my belief that every student can achieve at high levels when provided with strong relationships, meaningful support, high expectations, and access to exceptional instruction. Most recently, I served as Principal of Kettering Middle School Spanish Immersion, one of Prince George's County Public Schools' signature specialty programs. There, I had the privilege of leading a complex school community focused on strengthening instruction, improving school culture, and expanding opportunities for students. Working alongside an exceptional team, we implemented systems and structures that resulted in academic gains each year, an increased Maryland School Report Card rating, a 50% reduction in behavioral incidents, and more than 5% decrease in chronic absenteeism. These results were achieved through collaboration, clear expectations, and a shared commitment to student success.

My work has also included supporting high school students through the University of Maryland's Upward Bound Program and Ballou STAY High School, where I focused on college and career readiness, credit recovery, graduation planning, and student support services. Additionally, I have been privileged to contribute to district-wide initiatives, including developing the PGCPS Collaborative Planning Rubric, serving on the Forward By Design Strategic Planning Committee, and facilitating professional learning for principals at the PGCPS Summer Leadership Summit.

At my core, I believe leadership is about creating the conditions for others to thrive. The most successful schools are built when students, staff, families, alumni, and community partners work together toward a shared vision. My commitment is to foster a culture where every student feels safe, seen, valued, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential while supporting staff through strong systems, collaborative leadership, and a relentless focus on excellence.

As I begin my tenure at DuVal, my first priority is to listen and learn. My community Meet & Greet will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The RSVP and a stakeholder survey that will be sent in the upcoming days. Your voice matters, and I look forward to learning from and working alongside you. I am excited to join the DuVal community and look forward to working alongside each of you as we continue Forward Together, Accelerating Excellence the DuVal Way.

With excitement and gratitude,
Lakeishia Strother
Principal