MANASSAS, Va. — The School Board of the City of Manassas approved the appointment of Montell Brown as principal of Baldwin Intermediate School during its June 10 meeting. Brown will officially assume the role on July 1, 2026.
Baldwin Intermediate School serves approximately 260 students in grades 5 and 6 and plays an important role in supporting students as they transition from elementary school to middle school.
Brown joins Manassas City Public Schools from Fairfax County Public Schools, where he currently serves as assistant principal at Centreville High School. In that role, he supervises mathematics, multilingual learners, career and technical education, and AVID programs while leading schoolwide improvement efforts focused on student achievement, access, and belonging. Throughout his career, Brown has demonstrated a commitment to data-driven decision-making, inclusive practices, and expanding opportunities for students.
"Mr. Brown brings a thoughtful, student-centered approach to leadership and a strong commitment to building positive relationships with students, staff, and families," said Dr. Kevin Newman, superintendent of Manassas City Public Schools. "We are excited to welcome him to Baldwin Intermediate School and look forward to the leadership, energy, and experience he will bring to the school community."
Brown brings experience across multiple K-12 leadership and instructional roles in both urban and suburban school divisions. Prior to becoming an assistant principal, he served as a dean of students at both the middle and high school levels, a summer principal overseeing academic enrichment and credit recovery programs, a middle school social studies teacher, and a science teacher at Benjamin B. Comegys School, a K–8 school in Philadelphia. His background includes extensive work in student support, family engagement, school climate, and instructional leadership.
Among his accomplishments, Brown led efforts to redesign multilingual learner programming at Centreville High School, restoring services to previously unserved students and helping the school achieve language acquisition growth that resulted in recognition as a model school by Fairfax County Public Schools. He also helped expand access to advanced coursework and strengthened student belonging through culturally responsive practices and community partnerships.
His leadership has earned recognition across Fairfax County Public Schools. In 2026, Brown received the FCPS First Class Award for Excellence in Special Education as the Outstanding Middle/High School Administrator and was named a Region 4 Outstanding School-Based Leader Finalist. Earlier in his career, he was recognized as Liberty Middle School’s Outstanding New Secondary Teacher in both 2022 and 2023.
"Mr. Brown's leadership experience, commitment to student achievement, and focus on creating supportive learning environments distinguished him throughout the selection process," said Craig Gfeller, deputy superintendent for Manassas City Public Schools. "His experience supporting students across multiple grade levels and building strong school communities will be an asset to Baldwin Intermediate School as students navigate this important transition in their educational journey."
Brown holds a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science in Education in Urban Education from the University of Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Pennsylvania and has been accepted into the university’s doctoral program in Educational Leadership.
Prior to the start of the school year, opportunities will be provided for Baldwin students, families, and staff to meet Brown and learn more about his vision for the school community.