Opportunity Academy Principal Geoffrey Schmidt will be leaving Holyoke in January to take on the role of principal for Louis E. Dieruff High School in the Allentown School District in Pennsylvania, his home state.
“While I am sad to say goodbye to my students and staff, I appreciate this opportunity to return to the Lehigh Valley and rejoin my family there,” Principal Schmidt said. He joined Holyoke Public Schools in 2018 as Opportunity Academy’s engagement director and school design lead. He was promoted to principal in 2021, and in that role he has provided leadership and oversight for Opportunity Academy’s three programs:
A small personalized progressive education center for high school students of any age;
A dual-enrollment program at Holyoke Community College for students age 16+ who seek an early college experience; and
A project-based and competency-based high school program for students who are more than one year off-track.
“We appreciate everything Mr. Schmidt has done for Opportunity Academy,” said HPS Superintendent Anthony Soto. “While he and his family will be missed here in Holyoke, we know his heart is in Pennsylvania. We wish him all the best as he begins this new chapter.”
Transition planning is underway while HPS continues its recruitment efforts to hire a new principal for Opportunity Academy. HPS anticipates hiring a new principal prior to Mr. Schmidt’s last day on January 29, 2024.