Robert Eichorn to lead new non-traditional school to be built at Aden and Joplin Roads

After eight years of successfully leading New Directions Alternative Education Center, Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) alternative high school, Robert L. Eichorn has been appointed the principal of the Division’s yet-to-be named non-traditional campus.

He will lead efforts to combine the resources of New Directions, PACE East, and New Dominion into a single thriving non-traditional academic community. Eichorn assumes the new role July 1, and will immediately take on oversight of the two other schools, while continuing his leadership of New Directions.

Eichorn will be working with the leaders, staff, and communities of all three schools to forge program and staffing plans for the new campus, as construction of the physical facility gets underway. Groundbreaking ceremonies will be held this fall.

Since arriving at New Directions, Eichorn has transformed alternative education itself and attitudes toward the non-traditional student across PWCS. His commitment to non-traditional students has equipped many to exceed their own expectations, and helped propel PWCS to an all-time high on-time graduation rate of 91.4%, according to a news release.

Eichorn and the schools he oversees will now report to Dr. Renee Lacey, Director of Non-Traditional Education, and, through her, to Associate Superintendent for Student Learning and Accountability, Rita Goss.

“These reporting changes will not be visible to many. However, they will be important in making certain that our students have more and stronger advocates who share a vision and commitment to giving them pathways to success,” according to a PWCS news release.

Eichorn has 26 years of experience as an alternative educator.

He was the president of the National Alternative Education Association, was honored as a nominee for the Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, and presented with the National Stem Education Leadership Award from the National Education Foundation.

He established the PWCS Non-traditional Education Leadership team which organizes an annual professional development conference for over 200 alternative educators from around the region.

New Directions Alternative Education Center has been recognized with the Crystal Star Award from the National Dropout Prevention Center, the highest honor for dropout prevention in the United States.

New Directions is the only alternative school in the nation to earn the designation as a Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program in consecutive submissions, and the first in Virginia to receive the award. The staff has been recognized with multiple teacher and counselor of the year awards.