Vance McNear

Vance McNear has served as principal of Edwin Forrest Elementary School since 2022. Under his leadership, Forrest Elementary has seen significant academic gains within a Comprehensive Support and Improvement school context. His leadership has resulted in double-digit growth in students performing at or above grade level in ELA, with kindergarten seeing an 11.4% increase and first grade seeing a 12% increase, confirming the strength of Tier 1 instruction, along with a 10% increase in ELA and an 8.9% increase in Math in overall STAR proficiency across the school.

These gains are further reflected in state assessment data, with third grade ELA increasing by 5.2% year over year on the PSSA and grades 3–5 ELA seeing a 2% year-over-year increase. Fourth grade led consistent growth in Math with a 6.5% increase, contributing to an overall 4.3% increase in Math for grades 3–5 on the PSSA. Chronic truancy dropped by 3.3 percentage points, falling from 5.6% to 2.3% of students, while cumulative attendance grew by 4 percentage points year over year among students with 90% or higher attendance.

In recognition of his distinguished leadership, Vance was awarded the 2025–2026 Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals, resulting in a $20,000 grant for school improvement projects. He has also been featured as a guest on the Next Man Up: MCEL Podcast and serves as a recurring guest on Principal Baruti Kafele’s AP and New Principals Academy, bringing his leadership perspective to a national audience.

Vance has secured a major partnership with the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office and obtained over $160,000 in donations and grants to fund vital initiatives for his students.

He serves on the School Leader Facilities Planning Process Committee and as co-facilitator of the Black Male Leaders Think Tank, both within the School District of Philadelphia. He has also completed the 2025 Howard University Superintendent Academy, a certificated executive leadership and fellowship program.

Vance’s career in education spans 19 years within the School District of Philadelphia. Throughout his career he has served in roles including special education teacher, fifth-grade math teacher, technology teacher leader, special education compliance monitor, dean of culture, special-needs instructional specialist for early childhood, and assistant principal.

Vance grew up in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Roman Catholic High School.