Kristin Williams Smalley

Kristin Williams Smalley has served as principal of the Academies at Roxborough High School since 2022, proudly serving a school community of approximately 499 students with a mission to develop strong college and career competencies that empower students to compete in our global society.

Under her leadership, the Academies at Roxborough High School provides students with opportunities to participate in five Career and Technical Education programs: the Academy of Visual Arts Production including Film and Video Production and Graphic Design, the Academy of Health Sciences and Research including Biotechnology, the Academy of Business, Technology and Entrepreneurship including Business Administration and Marketing, as well as a Kinesiology pathway and a JROTC program.

During her tenure, the school has demonstrated measurable growth in student outcomes. The percentage of students attending 90% or more days improved by 3.8% during the 2024–2025 school year, and the percentage of chronically truant students decreased by 1.6%. Student dropouts decreased from 32 to 8 year over year. During the 2024-2025 school year, STAR Reading results demonstrated growth in at or above benchmark increasing from 18.8% in the fall to 34.4% in the Spring.   Consequently, the percentage of students in the intensive intervention decreased from 56.8% to 43.6%.  Likewise, Math saw similar milestones.  During the 2024-2025 school year, STAR Math results in the at or above benchmark increased from 11.5% in the fall to 29.5% in the Spring.

The school’s STAR Math score was the highest in the network for brick-and-mortar schools. The Career and Technical Education programs at the Academies at Roxborough were honored at the 2025 Accelerate Philly Awards for increased NOCTI proficiency, and a 2025 graduate attained the highest NOCTI score in the film and video production program citywide.

Throughout her career she has served in roles including science teacher, agriculture teacher, teacher leader, instructional specialist, career integration specialist in the Office of Career and Technical Education, assistant principal at Randolph Career and Technical High School and Universal Audenried Charter High School, and principal resident at the Academy at Palumbo High School before assuming her current role. Principal Williams Smalley has a relentless passion for unveiling and nurturing the untapped greatness of the black and brown children of Philadelphia, especially those in our neighborhood/catchment high schools.

Principal Williams Smalley grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Robert E. Lamberton High School.