England Retires from Crozet Elementary, Saunders to Take Helm in July

By Albemarle County Public Schools

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. — Crozet Elementary School will undergo a leadership transition at the end of the school year as Principal Staci England retires after four years of service to the Crozet community. Stephen Saunders, currently principal of Greer Elementary School, has been appointed as Crozet’s next principal and will begin his role on July 1, 2026.

During her time at Crozet, England led the school through the opening of a facility addition at the start of the 2022–23 school year, allowing nearly 220 additional students to attend. She led a similar transition at Scottsville Elementary School, where she served as principal from 2018 to 2022, when the school welcomed students from the former Yancey Elementary School.

“I will always look back on my time at Crozet Elementary with fondness, but I am excited for the community to meet Dr. Saunders,” England said. “He is a terrific principal, and I have no doubt he will continue to build on the strong foundation at Crozet.”

Saunders joined Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) in 2008 as an assistant principal at Journey Middle School before serving as an assistant principal at Brownsville Elementary School. He later served as principal at Baker-Butler Elementary School (2014–2019) and Greer Elementary School (2019–2026).

As principal, Saunders demonstrated strong leadership and instructional gains at both schools. Under his leadership, Baker-Butler was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in the category of Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools. In 2025, Greer achieved full accreditation for the first time in 10 years, with reading scores exceeding the ACPS division average.

“I have loved every moment at Greer because I have been fortunate to work with an incredible community of students, families and staff,” Saunders said. “I look forward to bringing that same enthusiasm to Crozet and ensuring every Eagle is supported, challenged and inspired to learn and grow.”

Saunders began his career teaching French, English and photography and coaching soccer at Charlottesville High School. His classroom experience, combined with advanced study at the University of Virginia focused on student motivation and literacy, has shaped a student-centered approach to instructional excellence, relationship-building and continuous improvement.

“I strongly believe in the value of learning through listening, and I look forward to meeting and hearing from members of the Crozet community over the coming months,” Saunders said.

“I know Dr. Saunders will be a wonderful leader in the Crozet community,” Superintendent Matthew Haas said. “His solid commitment to student success and his ability to unite school communities around a shared vision make him an exceptional principal.”

The transfer of Saunders from Greer to Crozet leaves an opening for the Greer principal position. Haas noted that ACPS will begin the process of selecting the next principal of Greer Elementary School by engaging with the students, staff and families of the Greer community. 

“As we look ahead, we are committed to honoring the strong foundation built at Greer under Dr. Saunders’ leadership,” Haas said. “We will engage students, staff and families because their voices are essential to affirming our commitment to a thoughtful, inclusive hiring process that builds on the school’s foundation and leads to continued progress for a strong and vibrant learning community.”