Former Bainbridge High student to take over as principal in July

A former student leader at Bainbridge High School has been picked as the school's next principal.

A former student leader at Bainbridge High School has been picked as the school’s next principal.

Jacob Haley will take the helm of BHS starting in July, the Bainbridge Island School District announced Friday.

Haley steps in for Brent Peterson, who is retiring in June after a longtime career in Bainbridge schools.

“It is truly an honor to be selected to serve the students, staff and community as the principal of Bainbridge High School,” Haley said.

“I am looking forward to continuing the traditions of academic and extra-curricular excellence. As a community and school, we are preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s world. Together, we make it great,” he said. “Go Spartans!”

Haley is also a local choice for the post. He started as an associate principal at BHS in July 2010.

The school board is expected to approve his hiring at its next meeting.

“We are fortunate to have Jake Haley assuming the helm at Bainbridge High School,” said Faith Chapel, district superintendent.

“His palpable enthusiasm, leadership skills and commitment to education are qualities that have been evident throughout his career — both as a student and professional educator,” she said. “We look forward to having him assume this important leadership role in our community.”

Haley was picked from a group of 18 applicants after the field was narrowed to five.

A principal selection committee at the high school helped select the new leader for the Spartans, and ASB officers at the high school also had the opportunity of meeting the candidates and leading them on a tour of the BHS campus.

District officials said the final decision was made following a second round of district-level interviews.

Haley stepped into leadership roles at Bainbridge High when he was elected as the ninth-grade class president. He was the ASB vice president as a junior, then ASB president in his senior year.

After graduating with honors from Whitworth College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Haley started his teaching career in 1997 at Deer Park High School in Deer Park.

From 1998 to 2005, he taught mathematics and coached at BHS. After completion of his administrative internship in 2005, Haley moved to El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Calif., as a math teacher and head football coach.

In March 2010, he completed his first year as an associate principal at Laguna Hills High School in Laguna Hills, California.

District officials said Haley has had tremendous success as a classroom teacher, coach and, most recently, as a school administrator.