The NASSP National Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals. Sarasota County Schools is proud to announce that Mr. Ryan Chase has been named the 2026 National Association of Secondary School Principals’ (NASSP) Florida High School Principal of the Year.
“I’m incredibly honored by this recognition,” said Chase. “Sarasota High School is a special place because of the people who make it what it is, our students, our staff, our families, and our community. I have the privilege of working alongside educators who care deeply about students and hold themselves to the highest standards, supported by a community that truly believes in its school. What we’ve accomplished together is something I’m very proud of, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent Sarasota High and Sarasota County Schools at the state and national level.”
Through hard work and dedication, Sarasota High School attained an “A” school grade in 2025 – its first since 2019 – with 6 out of 10 evaluative categories ranking the highest in school history. The school community’s efforts were further realized through a 10% increase in graduation rate in two years, moving up to 97%, the highest graduation rate in school history.
Mr. Chase holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Florida, a Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education from the University of Florida, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to assuming his role as the Principal of Sarasota High School, he served as the Principal of Brookside Middle School.
Chase was recently selected as Sarasota County Schools’ 2025 Principal of the Year. His other accolades include being named the 2022 University of Florida Alumni Association’s National Leader of the Year, and a 2021 40 Gators Under 40 Honoree for the University of Florida Young Alumni Award.
About NASSP National Principal of the Year
The NASSP National Principal of the Year program honors secondary school principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession. Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools, and the Department of Defense Education Activity select one middle level or high school principal to represent their state.
From these state winners, three finalists are named as contenders for the National Principal of the Year award. The overall NASSP National Principal of the Year is selected from among the finalists.