‘Go slow to go fast’: New Dartmouth South Academy principal focused on building connections

As Dartmouth South Academy welcomes a new principal for the first time in more than a decade, Jacquelyn Reid is taking a measured approach to her first year leading the school.

Her philosophy is simple: “go slow to go fast.”

Reid took over as principal in September, following the retirement of Adrienne Blumenthal, who spent 11 years leading the school.

With new housing developments bringing more families to the surrounding neighbourhoods and enrolment pressures already affecting the school, Reid is stepping into the role at a time of change for the Dartmouth community.

But rather than rushing to introduce new initiatives, she said her first priority is getting to know the students, staff and families who make up the school.

“My goal this year is to listen and to really immerse myself in a culture that has existed long before I showed up,” Reid told the Post.

Now in her 21st year in education, Reid brings nearly a decade of school administration experience to Dartmouth South Academy.

She previously spent four years as vice-principal at Creighton Park and another four as principal at Hillside Park in Lower Sackville.

Originally from Dartmouth, she said the opportunity to return to her home community was part of what attracted her to Dartmouth South Academy.

She was also drawn to the challenge of leading a larger school serving students from pre-primary through Grade 8, something she had not previously experienced.

“I felt like I was ready to take on the challenge of a bigger school,” she said.

After her first month in the role, Reid said he has been struck by the atmosphere inside the building.

“There’s such a wonderful buzz in our building and a wonderful vibe,” she said.

While the school’s modern facilities are an asset, Reid said it is the people inside who make the difference.

“A school is a shell until you fill it up.”

A growing school community

Reid’s arrival comes as Dartmouth South Academy continues to serve a growing and increasingly diverse community.

The school was nearing full capacity in 2024, and a portable classroom was added to help accommodate enrolment pressures.

With residential development continuing in the surrounding area, the potential for further growth remains an important consideration.

Reid said population growth is something schools across the Halifax Regional Centre for Education have been navigating for several years.

“Change is always to be anticipated and growth is anticipated as well,” she said.

Rather than focusing solely on the challenges associated with a growing student population, Reid said she sees opportunities in the diversity that comes with it.

She recently learned that students at Dartmouth South Academy speak 31 different languages at home.

“To me, that’s such a superpower,” she said.

Reid said supporting students as the school community evolves means understanding their individual needs and maintaining strong relationships with families.

She explained that school supports are determined through both enrolment and student needs, and said she feels the school is well supported by its existing staff and resources.

“It boils down to knowing your students.”

That includes working closely with families, whom Reid described as the school’s strongest allies.

Building on an established culture

While Reid is beginning a new chapter at Dartmouth South Academy, she is also taking over a school shaped by more than a decade of leadership under Blumenthal.

Blumenthal helped oversee the merger of Southdale-North Woodside School and Prince Arthur Junior High, as well as the transition into the current Dartmouth South Academy building, which opened in 2018.

During her time as principal, she emphasized building a unified school culture across grade levels.

Reid said she hopes to build on that foundation rather than immediately make changes.

She learned in early May that she would be taking over the position, giving her several months to prepare alongside Blumenthal and the school’s vice-principals.

Before officially starting in September, Reid attended staff meetings, student orientations and a school dance.

The visits allowed her to become familiar with the school community before taking on the role full-time.

Reid described the school as a “labour of love” for her predecessor and said the transition was a team effort.

One aspect of the school she is particularly interested in developing is the connection between younger and older students.

With students ranging from pre-primary to Grade 8, Reid said there are opportunities for older students to take on mentorship and leadership roles.

She pointed to the school’s student council for Grades 7 and 8 as one way to encourage those connections.

The school is also exploring more opportunities for service learning and project-based activities that bring different age groups together.

Listening before leading

For Reid, much of her first year will be spent building relationships and learning from the people already working at Dartmouth South Academy.

She describes her leadership approach as collaborative, with an emphasis on recognizing the expertise of teachers and other school staff.

“It’s about shared leadership, and it’s about building capacity within your own team,” she said.

Reid said she is particularly passionate about instruction leadership, which involves supporting teachers in developing their skills and approaches to learning.

“That’s a really important part of my job, is helping teachers to realize their gifts and their talents and how they impact kids on a daily basis.”

Looking ahead, Reid said she will measure the success of her first year by more than academic results.

She wants students to feel supported and empowered in their learning, while ensuring staff have the relationships and resources they need to do their jobs well.

As she settles into her new role, Reid said the move to Dartmouth South Academy already feels like the right decision.

Changing schools is not something she takes lightly, particularly after spending four years leading Hillside Park.

But she said the people, atmosphere and sense of community at Dartmouth South Academy have made the transition a positive one.

“This just feels like the right fit for me,” she said.