Andy has been such a force of strength, positivity, and support...”

BMS teacher Lori Dalessio

Dr. Andrew Anderson, the principal of Barrington Middle School, has been selected as a New England League of Middle Schools A+ Administrator.

The New England League of Middle Schools award honors administrators who value, understand and support effective middle level education. Barrington Middle School teacher Lori Dalessio nominated Anderson for the award.

“Andy has been such a force of strength, positivity, and support for the BMS learning community, and I am so happy he will receive this recognition,” Dalessio said. 

Anderson said he was humbled and grateful to learn he had been selected for the award. The NELMS honor follows another award Anderson was recently nominated for — in February, Anderson was nominated for the 2022-23 National LifeChanger of the Year award. 

There is a long list of criteria Anderson must meet to have earned the NELMS A+ Administrator Award: Understand how young adolescents learn; champion middle level education by building community support, promoting middle level education and recognizing middle level as a distinct entity; support and model effective middle level philosophy; encourage professional development in middle level best practices; and provide leadership and supervision of effective instructional practices and student outcomes. 

Anderson was scheduled to receive the award during the NELMS Conference in Springfield, Mass. in late March. 

Anderson grew up in Barrington, attended Barrington Public Schools, and has worked in various roles in the district for a number of years. 

For the last 11 years, Anderson has served as the principal of Barrington Middle School. 

In recent years, Barrington Middle School has won two National Blue Ribbons, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Department of Education.