King’s Peter LeBlanc to be New Principal at Goodrell Middle School

King Elementary principal Peter LeBlanc will be the new principal at Goodrell Middle School beginning July 1.

Des Moines Public Schools is pleased to announce that Peter LeBlanc will be the next principal at Goodrell Middle School, one of the district’s International Baccalaureate World Schools.

Goodrell Middle School is located at 3300 E. 29th Street and was the first middle school in Des Moines to be named an IB school.

LeBlanc is well known in the DMPS community. He has served as principal of King Elementary School since 2011, where he oversaw an increase in overall enrollment and English Language Learner students, while simultaneously developing programming tailored to his changing student population, thereby increasing attendance and student achievement. King, along with Moulton school, also participates in ISU 4U Promise, a new partnership with Iowa State University that will provide tuition awards to students who qualify for admission to ISU.

“We are proud of the growth we’ve seen during Peter’s time at King Elementary School, one of the most diverse elementary schools in the district,” said Superintendent Tom Ahart. “Peter has a lot to bring to Goodrell, while leaving behind a strong foundation for his successor.”

Des Moines isn’t LeBlanc’s first urban school assignment. LeBlanc began his career in the Aldine Independent School District in Harris County, Texas. There he served as an assistant principal and director of interventions and community relations.  LeBlanc has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Orono, and a Master’s from the University of Houston in Texas.

“Being an educator in an urban setting is very rewarding,” LeBlanc said. “We have the luxury of learning from our diverse student population as we ready them to be successful at the next stage of their lives.”

LeBlanc officially begins his new position at Goodrell Middle School on July 1.  The search is underway for his successor.