Newsletters

The West Chester Area School District is proud to share the approval of Alyse Gonzalez and Ashley Melanson as the district’s first elementary assistant principals. Gonzalez serves Hillsdale Elementary and Starkweather Elementary, while Melanson serves Exton Elementary and Greystone Elementary.

The addition of these positions marks a strategic enhancement to school leadership at select sites, ensuring additional support for students, staff, and families where enrollment, programs, and daily operations make the role most impactful. While not all elementary schools will have an assistant principal, these placements reflect WCASD’s commitment to tailoring leadership resources to meet each school community’s needs.

“Alyse and Ashley bring exceptional skill, warmth, and dedication to their work, and we look forward to the positive impact their roles will bring to our entire elementary team,” said Dr. Sara Missett, WCASD Director of Elementary Education. “As I often say, WCASD is a great place to work and learn, and I know they’ll make it even better for our students, staff, and families.”

Alyse Gonzalez joins WCASD from Hillcrest Elementary School in Upper Darby, where she served as assistant principal. She led PBIS initiatives, trauma-informed learning, professional development, and student support teams, while also managing daily school operations. With over a decade of classroom and coaching experience, Gonzalez is known for her strong relationships with staff, students, and families, as well as her expertise in data-driven instruction and student-centered leadership. She holds a Master of Education in Pre-K –12 Administration from Cabrini College and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from West Chester University.

After spending the past 16 years in Upper Darby, Gonzalez expressed excitement at returning home to West Chester as one of the first elementary assistant principals. “This is where I grew up, went to school, and fell in love with education. It’s where my daughters go to school, and now where I am so proud to serve,” said Gonzalez. “I look forward to making meaningful connections with the students, families, and community members of Starkweather and Hillsdale Elementary Schools, and working together to educate and inspire our students to achieve their personal best.”

Ashley Melanson joins WCASD as assistant principal at Greystone and Exton Elementary Schools, after serving five years as the district’s Instructional Technology Coordinator. In that role, she led innovative teaching and learning initiatives, supported the transition to standards-based grading, and facilitated professional development to enhance instructional design and student engagement. Melanson brings 15 years of experience as an educator, including several years as a classroom teacher, and is known for building strong partnerships with staff, students, and families. She holds a Master of Education in Literacy from Wilkes University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from West Chester University.

“I am thrilled to begin this new chapter as Assistant Principal at Exton and Greystone Elementary Schools,” said Melanson. “My passion is helping every student feel safe, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. I look forward to building strong partnerships with our staff, students, and families to make our schools the very best places to learn and grow.”

Both Gonzalez and Melanson began their roles at the start of the 2025–26 school year, having already joined their respective leadership teams over the summer to help prepare for a strong start to the year.