Principal Leeper Earns Recognition for Exceptional Leadership at Boulder Creek Elementary

GILBERT, Ariz. (August 5, 2025) - Jim Leeper, Principal of Boulder Creek Elementary, has earned the Distinguished Administrator Award from the Arizona School Administrators organization. This statewide award recognizes a principal’s exceptional leadership, impact on student achievement, and commitment to fostering a positive and engaging school community.

"I feel incredibly humbled by this recognition. I am one person on a staff of 50, and we all contribute equally. I could never do it alone,” said Principal Leeper. “I'm surrounded by so many good people, and I truly believe any one of my colleagues could have received this honor."

Under Principal Leeper’s leadership, Boulder Creek Elementary has achieved remarkable success. The school's letter grade from the Arizona Department of Education has ascended from a "C" to an "A", and the school recently earned the Arizona Educational Foundation's A+ School of Excellence Award. These achievements are a testament to the strong campus culture Principal Leeper has fostered, which emphasizes high expectations, collaborative Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and innovative programs for targeted student support in reading and math. Leeper has also implemented a successful Sixth-Grade Student Ambassadors program that empowers students as leaders.

Principal Leeper's dedication and leadership are deeply valued by his staff. As one teacher at Boulder Creek Elementary shared, "Mr. Leeper is a huge part of why I keep coming back. No matter what the challenges are, he is there. He has pushed me but also encouraged me to grow and become a better teacher. Having a supportive admin is the absolute best thing to have, and Mr. Leeper makes working at Boulder Creek that much better.”