July 9, 2024…During its July 9 meeting, the School Board of the City of Manassas appointed Dr. Jennifer Chapman as the new principal of Osbourn High School. Dr. Chapman brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role, having distinguished herself in various capacities within Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and Prince William County Schools (PWCS), including as a math teacher, assessment coach, dean of students, and assistant principal.
Dr. Chapman holds dual bachelor’s degrees in secondary education (mathematics) and film and video from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and a doctorate in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California. Her doctoral dissertation focused on school-based interventions for chronically absent students.
During her tenure at Forest Park High School, Dr. Chapman led a continuous improvement team that achieved double-digit gains in Algebra 1 for special education and economically disadvantaged students while also reducing chronic absenteeism. She collaborated with stakeholders to expand the Information Technology specialty program, ensuring students are well-prepared for post-high school success in the information technology industry. Additionally, she developed an advisory program that connects each student with an adult mentor and worked with student leaders to enhance school climate and culture, creating opportunities for freshmen to engage regularly with peer mentors.
While at Fairfax County Public Schools, Dr. Chapman served as assistant principal and dean of students at Lewis High School, where she implemented a school-wide advisory program and significantly reduced unexcused tardiness by 33%. She was nominated as “Lewis High School Leader of the Year.” She also led the pyramid resource fair, connecting students and families to vital resources, and collaborated with parent liaisons to support at-risk students in achieving on-time graduation. As an assessment coach at South County High School, she coordinated school-wide testing programs for more than 2,000 students and guided instructional teams with specialized data to improve student outcomes.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Chapman to Manassas City Public Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman. “Her extensive experience, innovative approach, and unwavering commitment to student success make her a great leader for Osbourn High School. We look forward to her positive impact on our school community.”
Dr. Chapman will officially assume her role as principal on July 15. A meet-and-greet event will be scheduled for parents, staff, students, and community members to welcome her and learn more about her vision for Osbourn High School.