Duarte 'Can't Wait' For West Hartford School Year to Start

Julio Duarte, interim principal of Conard High School, is exactly where he wants to be.

Indeed, Duarte is now entering his 11th year at Conard. He initially started as an intern in the guidance department before working six years as a school counselor and the last four as assistant principal.

Now, after being named the Assistant Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools in November 2012, Duarte on July 1 took over the reins as interim principal after the departure of Dr. Peter Cummings.

Cummings recently joined the Connecticut Center for School Change.

So far, so good for Duarte.

“It’s been great,” Duarte said. “This is home for sure.”

Duarte, who was named the interim principal for the 2013-14 school year, said that the goal is to have the interim tag removed when the school district names a permanent principal for 2014-15.

“Conard is where I want to be,” he said.

As it stands, Duarte said that preparations for the school year include having lights installed at McKee Stadium and gearing up for the school’s AP Boot Camp, where students and teachers prepare for the rigors of advanced placement courses.

Conard is known for its success in offering advanced placement courses and having students score well on the exams. Duarte said that it’s a credit to the commitment that students, parents and teachers put into the program.

Duarte has also been collaborating with Hall High’s new principal, Dan Zittoun, to work on best practices, as well as Sedgwick Middle School Principal Roszena L. Haskins to assist students in the transition from middle school to high school.

In addition, Conard is preparing for its accreditation review by NEASC.

“We’re in a good spot,” said Duarte, adding that things have been going well because of the support he has received from the school district and the team of high school administrators.

He added that he wants to live up to the legacy left behind by former principals Cummings and Tom Moore, who also served as mentors for Duarte.

“I feel blessed to work with people like that,” Duarte said.

More than anything, however, Duarte said that he’s looking forward to the start of the school year. He acknowledges that it sounds hokey, but he feeds off the energy of the students.