ACPS Announces Adaarema S. Kelly as Principal of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School

Adaarema S. Kelly will join Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School as its new principal, effective July 1, 2025. Kelly is a transformative educational leader who leads from the heart, driven by a deep commitment to student success and lasting school improvement. With a proven track record of improving student outcomes, fostering a positive school culture and strengthening community partnerships, she has served as principal of Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School (Tucker) since 2022 and has led significant academic growth, increased student engagement and improved school climate. Prior to that, she served as the assistant principal and intersession coordinator at Tucker since 2017, where she played a key role in developing and managing the school’s improvement plan.

“Principal Kelly has been a visionary leader focused on leveraging data to drive instructional excellence and school improvement,” said Michael Routhouska, Executive Director of School Leadership. “Her leadership at Tucker has led to measurable growth in student performance, and we are confident that her dedication, experience and passion for equity will greatly benefit the students, staff and families of Jefferson-Houston.”

With over 25 years of experience in K–12 education, Kelly has served as a principal, assistant principal, special education teacher and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) elective teacher. She brings expertise in equity-driven instruction, leadership development and student-centered learning. Since assuming the principalship at Tucker, she has transformed the school, achieving an 85% accreditation score in the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Accountability System (2024) and securing Title I funding to expand academic programming, interventions and professional development. Her implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) has driven measurable student achievement gains, including a 17-point increase in reading, 23 points in math, 13 points in science, and 20.2 points in history. Chronic absenteeism also went down by over 10 points in two years, reinforcing her commitment to student engagement. In 2024, Tucker earned the prestigious Purple Star Designation Award, which recognizes schools that are committed to supporting students and families connected to the military.

Kelly was born in Accra, Ghana, and grew up in West Philadelphia. She graduated from high school in Hong Kong before earning degrees from Susquehanna University, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and George Washington University, where she will defend her doctorate by April 30, 2025. She has completed prestigious leadership programs, including the National Aspiring Principals Academy (NAESP), ACPS Superintendent’s Leadership Academy and the New and Aspiring Leaders Program at Harvard University.

As a proud military spouse and mother of two college students, Kelly has worked in six school districts across the U.S. and internationally. Deeply committed to community service, Kelly is an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church and is highly involved in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., contributing to service initiatives, leadership development and community empowerment.