This news release is from the Colorado Association of School Executives. 

DENVER — Brentwood Middle School Principal Nicole Petersen has been selected as the 2026 Colorado Middle-Level Principal of the Year.

The Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals (CASSP), a department of the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) chose Petersen from a competitive collection of nominees. As the 2026 Colorado Middle-Level Principal of the Year, Petersen will be considered for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal of the Year award.

Brentwood Middle School in Greeley-Evans School District 6 offers 13 programs and clubs, including the elite International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. As an IB school, Brentwood is part of an international program founded in 1968 that offers globally recognized academic standards. 

"Nicole is an exceptional leader, who has helped create a culture of caring and learning at Brentwood Middle School," said Greeley-Evans School District 6 Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Pilch. "She is devoted to knowing all her students and ensuring they have the support they need to be successful. She supports her staff so they can have the time and resources they need to serve students. The change she has helped lead at Brentwood is remarkable."

When Petersen first started her role at Brentwood, the school was in Priority Improvement status and struggling to make measurable academic gains. Now, they are consistently meeting or exceeding state expectations for growth, Petersen said.

These improvements have not gone unnoticed. Brentwood has been recognized as a School to Watch three times and has received the Colorado Department of Education Center of Excellence award twice. Petersen also received the District Principal of the Year award in 2019.

“We believe our success stems from our commitment to truly knowing our students — not just as data points, but as individuals with talents, dreams, and unique needs,” Petersen said. “While we review trend data to inform our instruction, we remain adamant that every data point represents a human being.”

As part of expanding students' opportunities, becoming an IB school enables Brentwood to cultivate global-minded learners. Over 4,000 schools worldwide participate in the IB program. Achieving IB authorization required extensive teacher and staff preparation, accreditation work, and specialized training.

“At Brentwood, leading learning means preparing students not only to meet academic standards but to live with purpose, passion, and a sense of responsibility to something greater than themselves,” Petersen said. “As an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, we are deeply committed to developing globally minded learners who are skilled thinkers, communicators, and collaborators—but also compassionate humans.”

Andy Hartshorn, assistant principal at Brentwood who has worked with Petersen for over 10 years, applauded her leadership style that has led to the success at their school.

“She empowers teachers to take instructional risks, integrate new strategies, and share successes across teams,” Hartshorn said. “Her leadership cultivates a culture where continuous improvement is valued, and where everyone — students, teachers, and leaders — is committed to learning and growing together.”

Amanda Fanjoy, a parent of a Brentwood Middle School student, said that she has experienced a feeling of inclusion and consideration by Petersen.

“Ms. Petersen has done such an incredible job of making both students and parents alike feel like their feelings and concerns matter,” Fanjoy said. “It feels to me that she constantly has a good pulse on what is happening with all of the students at any given time.”