Southern Middle School Principal Kelly McVey has been honored as the 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), recognizing her exceptional leadership in fostering collaboration and academic success.
The announcement came during a surprise visit on March 21, 2025, from MASSP Executive Director Chris Truffer, Anne Arundel County Board of Education member Dawn Pulliam, Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell, and other district leaders, celebrating her 18-year career in education.
MASSP’s award, part of the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Principal of the Year program, highlights McVey’s ability to build a positive culture, drive student performance, and engage all stakeholders. “I am truly honored to receive this award and hope it reflects the incredible commitment and dedication of our staff in serving our students every day,” McVey said. “I am grateful for this recognition, knowing that so many exceptional principals across our state are making a difference in their communities.” She credited Southern Middle School’s community for four years of collective growth.
Dr. Bedell praised her impact: “She is a passionate and compassionate leader who expertly guides a team focused on our systemwide efforts to help every student Belong, Grow, and Succeed. She is a principal that any parent would love for their child to have and is enormously deserving of this award.” Since taking the helm at Southern in 2021, McVey has led the school to three-star ratings on every Maryland Report Card, with notable gains in English Language Arts (ELA) on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP). Last year, seventh-graders posted the county’s highest ELA growth, and English Language Development students ranked second among middle schools for progress.
McVey’s career began as a social studies teacher in Howard County, followed by 11 years in administration—four as assistant principal at North County High School, three at Old Mill Middle School South, and now four at Southern. A parent’s nomination letter noted she “embodies the AACPS Strategic Plan’s core principles,” ensuring all students thrive. The school’s 2024 Wellness School of Distinction award further underscores her holistic approach, prioritizing well-being alongside academics for its 700+ students in Lusby, per Anne Arundel County Public Schools data.
