Curtis Johnson was approved by the State College Area School District Board of Directors as the Superintendent on March 13, 2023. Mr. Johnson has a deep commitment to the district and its students. Throughout his years with the State College Area School District, he has consistently supported students’ academic and social-emotional growth. Since 2021, he served as the assistant superintendent of secondary schools, working closely with the superintendent and district administrative team. Prior to serving as assistant superintendent, Mr. Johnson was the principal of State College Area High School
for five years after one year as interim principal and 10 years in other leadership roles at the high school. As the principal, he steered a campus of 2,400 students through the massive 4-year State High building project. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, he again led students, faculty, and staff as they coped with hybrid learning, health and safety measures, and other challenges.
His accomplishments include improving educational equity by developing the school’s Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE), a program designed to give struggling students an opportunity to reach their academic potential and facilitating the creation of the Everyday Algebra class for students needing intensive math instruction.
During his tenure, the school launched its International Baccalaureate program for juniors and seniors, and the number of State High students taking AP courses increased by 56 percent, with almost 80 percent of AP exam takers scoring a 3 or higher.
Along with fostering academic growth, Mr. Johnson oversaw significant strides in creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment at State High, partnering with the district’s director of equity and inclusivity to elevate student voice through the No Place For Hate campaign and other student-led social justice efforts. Additionally, his priorities included helping to implement restorative practices training for staff members.
Mr. Johnson received both his bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in secondary school counseling from Penn State and is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at the university.
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