School Leaders

Dr. St. Claire Adriaan, Ed.D. Candidate

Principal, PUC CALS Charter Middle School & Early College High School

Dr. St. Claire Adriaan's journey from Apartheid South Africa to educational leadership in the United States embodies the transformative power of education and the resilience of the human spirit. Despite receiving an inferior K-12 education under apartheid, St. Claire defied the odds and pursued higher education with unwavering determination, earning degrees from Dower College of Education and Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, followed by advanced studies at Rhodes University, American University of Theology, International Institute of Restorative Practices, and Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is currently completing his Ed.D. at the University of Miami.

Since arriving in the United States in 1999, Dr. Adriaan has dedicated his career to ensuring that every student receives the educational opportunities that once seemed beyond his own reach. Beginning as a middle and high school mathematics teacher, his exceptional impact in the classroom earned him the prestigious Disney Teacher Award in 2006. His leadership journey has taken him across the nation, including co-founding Success Preparatory Academy in post-Katrina New Orleans, where he helped rebuild hope and opportunity through education.

As an adaptive and transformative leader, Dr. Adriaan's approach is guided by the Ubuntu philosophy from his native South Africa—"I am because we are"—which drives his deep commitment to social justice and creating authentic belonging for all students. He champions neurodiverse learners and leads with the conviction that schools must be places where students feel welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to school each day. His leadership centers on three pillars: engaging families as essential partners, empowering faculty and staff as collaborative leaders, and placing students at the heart of every decision.

A restorative practitioner and published author, Dr. Adriaan has contributed thought leadership on topics including "How School Leadership Influences and Is Influenced by Immigration," "Metacognitive Clarity," and "Ubuntu: Unlocking the Power of Restorative Leadership." His scholarship reflects his lived commitment to equity and transformative educational practices.

As a lifelong learner who has overcome adversity, Dr. Adriaan believes education is the great equalizer. At PUC CALS, he brings this belief to life daily, working tirelessly to ensure that every student receives nothing less than the excellent education they deserve—the kind of education that opens doors, transforms lives, and builds a more just world.