John Galipault, principal of Carmel Valley’s Carmel Creek School, was recently named the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 18 Elementary Principal of the Year. The recognition honors Galipault for his leadership, commitment and service to students and families, rising above the rest in Region 18, which encompasses school districts across San Diego and Imperial counties.
The principal will be formally recognized by ACSA at the Honoring Our Own awards ceremony on April 25.
Galipault comes from a family of teachers and has been in education for 20 years, starting in his hometown of Worthington, Ohio. He came to the Solana Beach School District in 2021 after spending nine years in the Rancho Santa Fe School District as a science and robotics teacher and an assistant principal.
Under Galipault’s guidance, Carmel Creek is a positive and inclusive campus where students can feel supported, challenged and inspired, according to a district press release.
“John leads with heart, integrity, and a clear focus on students,” said Solana Beach School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Burks in the press release. “He builds strong relationships with students, staff, and families, while maintaining focus on high-quality, inclusive teaching and learning. This recognition is well deserved, and we are proud to have him as part of SBSD.”
Galipault was one of two local educators to receive an honor from ACSA in 2026: San Dieguito Union High School District’s Kathryn Friedrichs, principal at Oak Crest Middle School, was also named the Secondary Principal of the Year.