Stephanie Carter Named Principal of ACE Academy – Lambs Lane Campus

By Albemarle County Public Schools

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. — Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) has appointed Stephanie Newcomb Carter principal of Albemarle Career Exploration (ACE) Academy – Lambs Lane Campus.

The new 60,000-square-foot facility, currently under construction, will provide practical, hands-on learning for up to 400 students per day from Albemarle High School, Monticello High School and Western Albemarle High School when it opens in fall 2026.

“Ms. Carter is a proven leader in career and technical education,” Superintendent Matthew Haas said. “As ACPS continues to expand career learning opportunities through our Scholars Studios program, her experience, deep understanding of the Albemarle community, and commitment to hands-on learning position her well to lead ACE Lambs Lane. She is uniquely suited to help make this new campus a flagship model for center-based learning in our division.”

Carter brings more than 20 years of experience in career and technical education leadership. She joins ACPS after serving two years as director of career and technical education for Stafford County Public Schools. Previously, she spent four years as director of the Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (CATEC), served as a middle school principal at Buford Middle School in the City of Charlottesville, and held roles as a program administrator for virtual education, career and technical education and alternative education.

“I am honored to be named principal of ACE Academy – Lambs Lane Campus,” Carter said. “This school represents an exciting opportunity to reimagine learning through hands-on, real-world experiences that center student voice, curiosity and purpose. I am eager to build a strong team and partner with students, families, the community and business partners to create a learning environment where students can explore their interests and prepare for meaningful futures.”

ACE Lambs Lane will house eight of the division’s 12 Scholars Studios: Blueprint (architecture, urban design and building construction); Impact (global leadership, law and social justice); Nexus (transportation, robotics, analytics, information and logistics); Pulse (health and medicine); Savor (hospitality, culinary arts and recreation); Solve (science, technology, engineering and math); Thrive (education and human development); and Venture (entrepreneurship, business and innovation).

Students will enroll in their base high school and attend studio classes at ACE Lambs Lane every other day.

Carter will begin in her new role Feb. 23, 2026, and will focus on planning, staffing and preparing for the opening of the new school facility.