Dr. Ranelli to Recommend Mr. Ross as Principal for Black Rock Middle School

On Friday, June 5, 2026, Dr. Ranelli shared the letter below with the Black Rock Middle School community.

Dear BRMS Community,

I am pleased to share that at the June 15, 2026, meeting of the Lower Merion Board of School Directors, I will be recommending the appointment of Ty Ross as the new principal of Black Rock Middle School.

Mr. Ross currently serves as principal of Cynwyd Elementary School. He will make the transition to his new position once classes end, allowing him time to collaborate with Mrs. Stout to ensure continuity of leadership at Black Rock. I’m also pleased to share that I am recommending Dr. Pete Papageorge as interim principal at Cynwyd.

Mr. Ross’s selection is the result of a rigorous process that incorporated input we received from nearly 1000 Black Rock students, staff members, parents and guardians. I truly appreciate the time you took to share the qualities you most value in a school leader. Mr. Ross embodies the priorities you expressed. He is warm and approachable, a great communicator, and a collaborative leader who has a proven track record of building and maintaining a positive school culture and academic excellence.

Mr. Ross has 25 years’ experience as an educator. Before joining Cynwyd, he served as a principal at Charles W. Henry School in Philadelphia, and as an assistant principal at Lower Merion High School, John Bartram High School and Hardy Williams Elementary School. He has also been a kindergarten teacher and an emotional support teaching assistant.

Mr. Ross received his bachelor’s degree in history from Cabrini University and his master’s degree in education from St. Joseph’s University. He is a licensed trainer in Restorative Practices and a Relay Graduate of the National Principal Academy Fellowship program.

I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Ross as he takes on this new leadership role in LMSD.

Sincerely,

Dr. Frank Ranelli
Superintendent

You can read more about the recommendation of
Dr. Papageorge as Cywyd interim principal here.