ToniJo Niccoli was selected as the 2026 Colorado High School Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals (CASSP), a department of the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE). Niccoli is the principal of New Meridian High School & the Career Elevation and Technology Center, both a part of the St. Vrain Valley School District. Under Niccoli’s leadership, the on-time student graduation rate has risen from 12.5% to nearly 90%, the dropout rate has decreased from over 25% to below 3%, and students now graduate with college credits and industry certifications. She completed her principal licensure at SEHD in Spring 2023. She is currently enrolled in the SEHD EdD program’s executive leadership concentration.
