Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy is Honoring Our Principal, Dr. Damon Lewis!

We are bursting with pride to announce that Dr.  Damon Lewis has been named the 2025–26 National Middle Level Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). This recognition comes on the heels of his 2025 Connecticut Middle School Principal of the Year award—honored first at the state level by the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS)

Since stepping in as principal in July 2015 (after 4 years as assistant principal), Dr. Lewis has transformed Ponus Ridge into a model of excellence, equity, and inclusion. Under his leadership:

Chronic absenteeism dropped dramatically—from over 30% to just 8% in under two years—thanks to thoughtful strategies like home visits and the “Every Day Counts” culture.
Representation climbed meaningfully across the board: Hispanic and Black students in Gifted & Talented, and female students in accelerated math programs all increased.
Academic outcomes soared—districtwide PSAT scores outpaced local, state, and national averages.
A STEAM-rich ecosystem was built, with new courses spanning coding, robotics, music tech, immersive media, 20+ after-school clubs, an on-site food pantry, care closet, and a Hispanic parent group.

In his humble, heartfelt acceptance speech, Dr. Lewis said:
“I am incredibly honored and humbled … This is a WE award for Norwalk Public Schools and Ponus Ridge.”

He also shared that this achievement inspires him to uplift equity, build access, and support administrators of color—so our children can see themselves in leadership.

NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe praised Dr. Lewis’s “visionary leadership,” noting his work provides “practical strategies that school leaders nationwide can implement—driving meaningful change for their students.”

To Our Ponus Ridge Families:

This honor belongs to all of us—students, staff, and families—who have rallied behind Dr. Lewis’s vision. Your support everyday, fosters a school where every scholar is seen, valued, and empowered to reach their highest potential.
Let’s celebrate this incredible milestone together! Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lewis, whose leadership continues to inspire and uplift our Ponus Ridge community.

To learn more about Dr. Lewis and the impact he has on our community here are some related articles, news stories, and videos featuring stories about Dr. Lewis!