The Falls Church City School Board has appointed Terry J. Dade as the new Superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools. The decision was made during a special meeting held at Meridian High School, followed by a community reception to welcome Mr. Dade.
“We are thrilled to welcome Terry Dade as our new superintendent,” stated School Board Chair Tate Gould. “His exceptional leadership experience across diverse school settings, combined with his proven track record of academic excellence and innovation, makes him the ideal leader to guide our district forward.”
Mr. Dade will officially begin his role on July 1, 2025. He brings over 25 years of educational experience and is currently serving as Superintendent of Cornwall Central School District in New York, overseeing five schools similar in size to FCCPS.
“I am honored to join this exceptional learning community that values academic excellence, innovation, and inclusion,” said Mr. Dade after his appointment. “I look forward to building upon FCCPS’s outstanding legacy while working collaboratively with students, families, educators, and community members to shape an even brighter future for our schools.”
The selection process started in December 2024 when the School Board hired HYA Associates for the search process which included input from over 800 stakeholders through forums and surveys.
Mr. Dade’s previous roles include Assistant Superintendent for Region 3 in Fairfax County Public Schools from 2015-2019 where he reduced accreditation warnings significantly and Principal at Graham Road Elementary School in Falls Church achieving high pass rates and improved teacher retention.
“Mr. Dade’s familiarity with our region, combined with his diverse leadership experiences in other districts, gives him a unique perspective that will benefit our schools,” noted Gould.
He holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Trinity University and is completing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Manhattanville University.
Mr. Dade will take over from Dr. Peter J. Noonan who is retiring after eight years as FCCPS Superintendent during which he made significant improvements including expanding the International Baccalaureate program.
Opportunities for staff, students, families, and community members to meet Mr. Dade before he assumes his role will be announced soon.
