The ASK Academy - A STEM Innovation Home

The ASK Academy extends a heartfelt welcome to Mr. William Barrett, the new High School Principal. 

 

Mr. Barrett is thrilled to be joining The ASK Academy family as the High School Principal. He brings
more than thirty years of leadership, senior administrative, teaching, coaching, and counseling experience
in education to the community. Mr. Barrett has many ties to New Mexico, having lived in Albuquerque
years ago. In fact, he got his formal start in education through his attendance at the University of New Mexico, where he received his master’s degree in special education and taught for one year at Highland High School.

Mr. Barrett most recently served as head of school for five years at St. Mary’s Academy, an independent
PK-12 school in Colorado. In addition to this role, he taught a positive psychology course to juniors and
seniors and coached the middle school boys’ lacrosse team. Prior to leading St. Mary’s Academy, he
served in several roles during his twenty-year tenure at Rippowam Cisqua School, an independent PK-9
school in New York. Mr. Barrett was the grades five through nine principal for eleven years, and was also
the dean of students, director of boys’ athletics, sixth grade English and History teacher, seventh grade
math teacher, ninth grade TED Talk facilitator, and football, basketball, and lacrosse coach.

Mr. Barrett has led several initiatives to help prepare students for success. Examples include program and
facilities expansion, strategic planning, marketing, institutional advancement, community relationships,
technology integration, and wellness, among others. In addition, he has a depth of experience in
supporting STEM education, project-based learning, and is deeply interested in educating for global
competence.

“Great schools develop and foster meaningful relationships. In an environment where students
are known, cared for, understood, and supported appropriately, they become inspired to grow in
ways they might never have dreamed possible. I am excited to partner with the incredible
individuals in The ASK Academy family in support of our scholars.”

Mr. Barrett holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire, an M.B.A. in
Business Management from Iona University, an M.A. in Special Education from the University of New
Mexico, and an M.S. Ed. in Counseling from Fordham University. He also holds a Level Three-B
Administrator and a Level Three-A Instructional Leader PK-12 Special Education license with the New
Mexico Public Education Department.