Danielle Vekich - Principal

For nearly 20 years at Washington Elementary, I have had the privilege of serving students, families, and educators with a simple but powerful belief: every child matters, every child has potential, and every child deserves someone who believes in them.

As I begin my 20th year as a principal, I remain deeply committed to creating a school where students feel known, valued, supported, and inspired to believe in themselves and their futures. My leadership is grounded in the belief that education is about more than academic achievement. It is about nurturing the whole child—supporting social and emotional well-being while providing the academic foundation and opportunities students need to thrive.

At Washington we work to build a school community where students are encouraged to discover their strengths, overcome challenges, develop confidence, and hold onto hope for what is possible. I believe that when children know they are cared for, when they have trusted adults cheering them on, and when they are given meaningful opportunities to succeed, they can accomplish remarkable things. 

Throughout my career, I have worked alongside students, families, and staff to create a culture of belonging, connection, high expectations, and hope. Her greatest joy is seeing students grow—not only as learners, but as compassionate, resilient, confident young people who can envision a positive future for themselves.

We are excited for our recent national recognition as being named a "Bright Spot" school. Our students are surpassing the expectations in literacy and we are so proud of their hard work. I am beyond grateful for the many students, families, colleagues, and mentors who have shaped my journey. My commitment remains consistent: believe in every child, help them find their hope, and create the conditions for them to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.