Citing his relentless quest to build and enhance relationships and teams that increase student achievement, the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) today named Meade High School Principal Dr. Ryan Durr as its 2026 High School Principal of the Year.
The award, given by MASSP as part of the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Principal of the Year program, recognizes a leader who is engaging in actions that positively impact all students and their schools. A principal’s work in the areas of curriculum, instruction and assessment as well as personal excellence, guiding a mission and vision focused on student performance, collaboration and building teams that foster a positive and goal-oriented culture are all factors in the judging.
“This is a tremendous honor for our entire school community, and I am truly surprised, shocked and deeply humbled to receive this recognition,” Dr. Durr said. “I am truly honored to represent Meade High School and the state of Maryland through this award. Our scholars, staff, families, and community partners work tirelessly each and every day to ensure that Meade High School is the very best it can be for our scholars. This award is not about me. It is about the Meade family. As I tell our scholars daily, ‘It’s a great day to be a Mustang,’ and I am incredibly proud to be a part of such a dedicated, passionate, and supportive school community.”
In a letter of support, one student lauded Dr. Durr’s efforts to develop a sense of belonging among all students.
“Dr. Durr makes an effort to build a bond with all of his students and he makes you feel seen and you heard every day,” the student wrote. “He goes above and beyond to make sure we are thriving as well as happy. He’s always interested in the new ideas that we like to bring and eager to let us bring them to life. He grows bonds with his students and community, allowing us to feel comfortable coming to school and ready to learn.”
Dr. Durr has led Meade High School to a three-star ranking on the Maryland Report Card in each of the last two years, and Meade has increased the percentage of points earned on the report card in all three of his years at the helm. The school’s graduation rate for the Class of 2024 climbed more than three points from the prior year and the school’s proficiency rate on the English Language Arts Grade 10 MCAP assessment rose 13.4 percentage points from the year before.
“As part of leadership, it is easy for me to see all of the ways that he provides opportunities for students and staff to make decisions and have a voice,” one teacher wrote in a letter supporting Dr. Durr’s nomination. “He is not a selfish decision-maker. He knows that leadership is a process and encourages students and staff to take on those challenges. If hard decisions need to be made, he will do that and own them, but he always makes sure voices are heard when making those decisions.”
Dr. Durr began his career as a science teacher in the Cleveland Municipal School District in 2002. He moved to administration in 2008 and first became a principal in 2010. Just prior to coming to Meade High School, Dr. Durr served as principal at Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy in Baltimore city.
“The increases at Meade under Dr. Durr’s leadership are significant,” Truffer said. “In addition to anecdotal comments about a feeling of greater safety and security, Meade achieved a 13 percentage point increase in students passing the MCAP English 10 assessment in 2025, measurable growth across IB exam areas, and notable gains in instructional consistency and implementation of the Middle Years Programme building wide. Dr. Durr’s leadership and results make him an excellent choice for this award.”
As the state winner, Dr. Durr will now participate in the National Principal of the Year program. The national winner will be announced later this year.
