Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Lee Ann Wentzel earned her bachelor’s degree in social studies secondary education from Clarion University. She also holds a master’s degree from Temple University. Her administrative certifications and credentials were received from Widener University and The University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Wentzel joined the faculty at Ridley High School in 1990 as a social studies teacher. She served as Dean of Students prior to becoming an assistant principal at the high school. Ms Wentzel transitioned to the central office with responsibilities as the Assistant to the Superintendent and Board Secretary. Ms. Wentzel became the district's fifth Superintendent of Schools since 1967 with her appointment in 2010.
As Superintendent, Ms. Wentzel serves as the Region Representative to the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) Board of Governors. She has been a member on the PASA Legislative Committee and Legislative Advocacy Instructor in the PASA New Superintendents’ Academy, represents PASA on the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Board of Governors, and works as the Southeast Region Representative on the PASA Women’s Caucus. Ms. Wentzel also represents Pennsylvania with a seat on the Executive Committee of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Board of Governors. She participated in the Lifetouch Memory Mission to serve as an AASA volunteer to build a school in the Dominican Republic and traveled with AASA Educational Delegations to Israel, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Ms. Wentzel's local responsibilities include a seat on the Professional Advisory Council for Delaware County Career Technical Schools, membership in the University of Pennsylvania Superintendents’ Study Council, past-chair of the Delaware County Superintendents' Fiber Optic Board, participation in the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Educator Evaluation Program for Pennsylvania State University and Widener University, and consultation with Cheyney and Lincoln University as part of an education think tank and student teaching planning. Ms. Wentzel is a member of the Delaware County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification. She holds additional credentials for school safety, such as a certified ALICE Active Shooter Trainer. Ms. Wentzel has also been recognized by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the International Thespian Society in 1999 as part of the Administrative Team Award and again in 2017 as an Administrator. The Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union also named her the 2017 Financial Literacy Advocate.
Since 2010, the district has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished District, with four district schools earning additional individual recognition. District Administrator Magazine designated Ridley as a District of Distinction for the development of the Digital Learning Platform, with one of the first in PA 1:1 technology device implementation in 2013. These awards build on a long history, dating back to 1990, of innovation in the district that had one of the first WAN in PA K-12 education and is part of the consortium co-owners of the Fiber Optic Network in the county. AP Course offerings have increased by 16.7%; AP test takers increased by 20.3%; and, the AP scores of 3 or higher went from 68.1% to 94% since 2010. Ridley High School and Leedom Elementary School have been named in the US News & World Report as top schools.
A few highlights from 2023-2024:
Academics
33 AP Scholars, 12 AP Scholars with Honors, and 19 AP Scholars with Distinction—There was 100% participation in the examination process and with 94% of the students earning college credit. One student had a perfect score on the AP Computer Science Principles Exam.
There were writing contest winners from students at the elementary and middle school levels.
Superior ratings and selections to the state music festival for participating students from the middle and high schools.
Three Ridley High School students identified as three of the 50,000 highest scores on PSAT/NMSQT.
Extracurricular
There were medal winners from the elementary and middle schools from the Delaware County 24 Competition.
Rhapsody, the Ridley High School a cappella choir was a semi-finalist in the B101 Christmas Choir Contest.
Two-day Festival of Arts showcased demonstrations and presentations by all age groups.
Wrestling, track/field, swimming/diving, and cheerleading added new medals from the PIAA championships.
Windscript (Reverie) literary magazine won the highest first place distinction in PA.
Community Service
Ridley Middle School started a community services club that participated in a number of projects this year.
Over $24,000 raised to fight juvenile cancer through the R-Thon.
Ridley Middle School 7th grade art was featured at the Philadelphia International Airport.
The Locker made $20,000 in donations to various charities.
Leedom Elementary School student recognized as a DCIU Making a Difference award winner.