Branford High School's New 'House Principal' Named

BRANFORD, CT — Late Wednesday, the Branford Board of Education announced the appointment of Jessica Cavallaro as House Principal at Branford High School.

In the house principal model, a high school is divided into smaller "houses," each led by a house principal, much like an assistant principal.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jessica to Branford Public Schools," Superintendent Christopher Tranberg said. "She is a big-picture thinker with the clear ability to translate vision into action, making her an ideal fit for our continued pursuit of improvement and innovation. Jessica brings a robust skill set that will be instrumental as we transition to the new house principal model, and her collaborative spirit and strategic mindset will make her a valued contributor to our district leadership team."

Cavallaro brings 15 years of educational experience from North Branford, where she served in a variety of roles including mathematics teacher, instructional coach, curriculum leader, and
coordinator of student intervention.

Throughout her career, Cavallaro has demonstrated exceptional dedication to community engagement and student support. Her leadership has extended beyond the classroom—facilitating teacher collaboration, serving as a class advisor and trip coordinator, and co-coordinating school-wide initiatives. Her work as a mentor and advocate has enriched school culture and fostered student development.

As a leader within the school community, Cavallaro has made important contributions like serving on the NEASC visiting committee and completing Project Lead the Way training, further reflecting her commitment to professional growth and innovative educational practices.

Cavallaro shared her enthusiasm for the new role.

"Branford is a diverse and proud community dedicated to providing students with a safe, supportive, and collaborative place to learn and grow. As an educational leader, I view myself as a facilitator who is committed to guiding, inspiring, and motivating students and teachers to be life-long learners working to their full potential," she said. "I cannot wait to display my Hornet pride and begin collaborating with all stakeholders in ensuring new levels of success for the students of Branford."

Cavallaro is a graduate of Quinnipiac University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in Spanish. She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education and a Sixth-Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from Quinnipiac.