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Tony Cattani, right, principal of Lenape High School in Mount Laurel, on Wednesday night was named 2025-26 National Principal of the Year for high schools. He is at the award ceremony with Damon Lewis, of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Norwalk, Connecticut, who was named middle level principal of the year.

Tony Cattani, principal at Lenape High School for 18 years, this week won top honors from the National Association of Secondary School Principals by being named as the National Principal of the Year for high schools.

Lenape, which serves Mount Laurel, is part of the Lenape Regional High School District.

The ceremony naming Cattani was held in Seattle on Wednesday, July 9, at a joint conference with the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Cattani "is recognized for his role in developing a positive and inclusive school culture, where students and staff feel valued and supported," according to the national association. "A visionary leader, he has championed professional collaboration, encouraging teachers to grow by learning from their most powerful resource — each other — through more than 3,000 peer observations and collegiality cafes."

"Known as a tireless advocate for students, he consistently places their well-being and academic and personal growth at the forefront of every initiative," according to the announcement, which said he has set a "lasting standard" for leadership.

The Medford resident and Rowan University graduate was named a finalist on May 19 with Terita Walker of Denver East High School in Denver and Shauna Haney of Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah.

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