El Dorado Hills School principal named 2026 Statewide Secondary Principal of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators
EL DORADO HILLS — Oak Ridge High School Principal Aaron Palm has been named the 2026 Statewide Secondary Principal of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators, earning one of the state’s top recognitions for school leaders and bringing statewide attention to the Oak Ridge High School community.
The honor, announced by ACSA as part of its 2026 statewide award honorees, recognizes Palm as the top secondary principal in California. Palm represents Region 2 and the El Dorado Union High School District in receiving the award.
“Each year, only one principal in the entire state of California receives this prestigious honor, making this an incredible achievement for both Mr. Palm and the Oak Ridge community,” the El Dorado Union High School District said in announcing the recognition. “Mr. Palm’s servant leadership, dedication to students and staff and strong campus presence continue to make a lasting impact each day.”
The district highlighted Palm’s leadership in three key areas, describing him as a servant leader who leads with “yes” and empowers staff by providing the resources, structure and support they need to thrive. His work also was credited with helping create a healthy and supportive school environment while maintaining rigorous academic standards and improving student well-being and outcomes.
Palm also was recognized for visible and engaged leadership, with the district noting his regular presence on campus and in the community, including greeting students each morning, celebrating student and staff success, and showing up for all areas of school life.
That presence has become part of Palm’s identity at Oak Ridge, where he is entering his 10th year as principal and his 20th year with the district. In a school profile shared by Oak Ridge, Palm described the campus as “a place of teaching and learning” where “everyone has something to take away, and everyone has something to give.”
The same profile reflected the sense of connection Palm has built with students, families and staff. In a message to incoming families, Palm pointed to Oak Ridge’s LINK Crew program, booster groups and parent involvement as key ways new families become connected to the school community.
“We’re excited to welcome all our new families next year,” Palm said in the school profile. “Our LINK Crew program connects freshmen to Oak Ridge and supports them throughout the year. We also value strong parent involvement. Our booster groups are a great way to get connected, and you’ll meet them at New Parent Orientation. We look forward to having you join our school community!”
Palm also noted that one of his favorite Oak Ridge traditions comes at the end of each football game, when the football team walks over to the band to sing the alma mater together.
“It’s a special moment where sports and the arts come together, and even the parents join in,” Palm said.
Asked what he hopes students remember about their time at Oak Ridge, Palm pointed to relationships, saying he hopes they remember “the great relationships they made with friends and staff.”
The statewide recognition drew praise from education and community leaders following the announcement. Georgianne Knight, a retired trustee of the El Dorado County Office of Education board, congratulated Palm and said the honor reflects the impact of his leadership locally, regionally and statewide. El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ed Manansala also congratulated Palm, calling the recognition “so well deserved.”
Palm’s path to Oak Ridge began in the Bay Area. He grew up in San Carlos and attended Carlmont High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in U.S. history and a single subject teaching credential from San Jose State. He began his career teaching high school social sciences in San Jose and also taught history to English language learners and adult school students.
He later earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and an administrative credential, continuing a career that moved from classroom instruction into school leadership. Palm came to El Dorado Hills in 2006 after being hired as an assistant principal at Oak Ridge High School.
In 2013, he left Oak Ridge to become the El Dorado Union High School District’s director of Educational Options and Innovations. He returned to Oak Ridge in July 2016 when he was named principal.
Since then, Palm has led one of the region’s most recognized high school campuses through a period marked by academic expectations, student engagement, parent involvement and a strong campus culture. His recognition by ACSA places that work in a statewide spotlight, while also underscoring the role of the broader Oak Ridge community in the honor.
ACSA, founded in 1971, is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the United States, serving more than 18,000 California educators. The organization advocates for public school students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as adult learners, and serves school administrators across 19 regions throughout California.
For Oak Ridge High School and the El Dorado Union High School District, Palm’s award marks a major statewide achievement, recognizing a leadership style rooted in accessibility, visibility, staff support and student-centered decision-making.
As the district celebrated the announcement, it thanked Palm for his dedication, leadership and lasting impact on Oak Ridge High School — an impact now recognized across California.
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