The Middleburg Community Charter School Board of Directors today announced the hiring of Dr. Barbara Smith to lead the school as principal in its first year of operation. Middleburg Community Charter School is Loudoun County's first charter school.

"We couldn't be more thrilled," stated Board President, David Quanbeck. "Dr. Smith brings all of the characteristics we need to address the challenges of a new charter school: leadership, experience and enthusiasm."

Dr. Barbara Smith, originally of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, holds a PhD in curriculum from the University of Toronto. She is a former principal at the The William E. Doar Public Charter School for the Performing Arts, a Washington, D.C. As an educator, she has taught and embraced various leadership roles in public, private, international, independent, and charter schools in Canada, the United States and Belgium.

She has been a teacher educator at the University of Toronto, University of Saskatchewan and McGill University. She has published extensively, writing about innovative and exceptional practices in education.

"Helping build a charter school from the ground up is an educator's dream," shared Dr. Smith. Known for her high energy, teacher mentoring and expertise in curriculum, Dr. Smith brings years of experience to the position. "I am so impressed with the grass-roots community effort that made this charter school possible. I am eager to join the Middleburg Charter management team."

The elementary charter school plans to adapt the Leonardo Da Vinci Project, a project-based, interdisciplinary curriculum modeled after a program first developed at Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington County. Dr. Smith will guide teachers in developing work plans and tailoring the curriculum to the needs of the attending students.

Middleburg Community Charter School, located in Middleburg, Virginia, will begin the 2014-2015 school year when it opens on August 4th. The application deadline was April 30th. Applications exceeded openings and a lottery was held on May 6th. Interested families can request to be placed on a waiting list.

Middleburg Community Charter School is a Loudoun County Public School. Contact the school at MiddleburgCharterSchool@gmail.com or by calling 540-505-0456.

For more information contact Susana Calley at 703-297-7899.