Happy Assistant Principals Week!

The first week of April is National Assistant Principals Week, celebrating the unsung heroes of each Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) school.

Each of BCP’s Assistant Principals brings incredible leadership that often happens behind the scenes, but is felt every day. They are problem-solvers, culture-builders, and relentless advocates for students and colleagues. Their tasks are myriad: supporting instruction, responding to challenges, building relationships, and ensuring our schools run smoothly.

To celebrate this week, we profile Mike Lucas, Assistant Principal for grades 5-8 at Hampstead Hill Academy (HAA). Like his peers across the BCP network, Mr. Lucas embodies a “whatever it takes” mindset and helps move HHA forward with purpose and passion.

Thank you to Mr. Lucas and all our amazing Assistant Principals this week and every week. Our schools are stronger because of them. 

Years at HHA: 9

Year became HHA Assistant Principal: 2017

Original role at HHA: Middle School Instructional Coach and Director of HHA’s Leaders Go Places academic and leadership development program

Why he was drawn to HHA and BCP after serving at KIPP Baltimore for 15 years, including nearly five years as KIPP Principal: “I was looking for something that was more student focused. I wanted a leadership position working directly with teachers, and I wanted to spend more time in classrooms. Working as the Director of LGP and as an instructional coach was the perfect opportunity.

Wisdom gleaned from being KIPP Principal: “Principals have to consider the entire school in every decision.  You have to consider precedent and how everything affects the whole.”

Typical day as Assistant Principal: “I try to spend as much time in the hallways and in classrooms as possible. I actually really enjoy spending time at recess and lunch, where you can build relationships with students in a more unstructured environment. I have a short list of students that I check-in with every day in an attempt to work proactively instead of reactively. I also try to send a lot of positive messages on Class Dojo [the school-family daily digital communication platform].

Why the role is so critical: “The Assistant Principal is the go-to person for most staff members.  They depend on the Assistant Principal to be available and support everything, from student behavior, to tech issues, to parent and family support. When there is a question, the Assistant Principal is generally the first person you ask.”

Favorite part of his day: “Arrival. I love every day from 7:45-8:15 a.m. Joking with students every morning is a great way to start the day.”

Most rewarding part of his job: “Relationships. I love working with teachers and watching them grow. I love getting to know students and families.”  

Biggest challenge today with middle schoolers? “Middle schoolers are awesome. They are so much more open minded and resilient than we think. They face so many challenges though. I think trying to figure out how to meet the emotional and social needs of every student is a challenge.”

What gives him hope? “Kids just seem more open minded than adults. They are able to accept people for who they are and recover from minor conflicts much faster. I hope this generation accepts differences and appreciates others.”

How having a middle-school-aged child inspires his work: “My daughter is 13 and in 7th grade.  She helps me with “cringe tests.” I ask her for help with my ideas, to make sure they aren’t too old fashioned.

Advice for raising a middle schooler? “Listen. We are way too quick to tell students what to do instead of just listening and asking questions.”    

Fun fact about Mr. Lucas: As a University of Michigan graduate (B.A. in English and Sociology), he was glued to the 2026 March Madness as Michigan went all the way to clinch the championship.