Theater high school principal takes hands-on approach

Bronx Theatre High School got a new principal this year.

William Doyle is the interim acting principal, holding the job while the Department of Education searches for a permanent replacement for Bronx Theatre, located on the John F. Kennedy Education Campus at 99 Tibbett Avenue.

Mr. Doyle comes to the school after working as principal at Mott Haven Preparatory High School in the South Bronx. Before that, he attended the New York City Leadership Academy’s Aspiring Principals program. It’s possible that Mr. Doyle could become the school’s permanent principal, if he goes through the application process.

Mr. Doyle took over a Bronx Theatre that was struggling academically. According to its 2013-2014 Quality Snapshot, an annual evaluation prepared by the city’s Department of Education, only 21 percent of students there graduated college ready. Just over half of students were on track to graduate by the 10th grade. But almost 80 percent of students reported feeling that the school offered “enough variety of programs, classes and activities to keep them interested in school,” higher than the district and city averages.

Mr. Doyle declined to be interviewed for this article. But Bronx Theater students described their new principal as a hands-on administrator.

“He’s more active than the last principal,” sophomore Jade Brown said, explaining that Mr. Doyle’s predecessor, Charles Gallo, had a reputation for staying in his office all day.

“We get more phone calls home. There are more interactions with the parents,” Jade added, saying that she used to be able to get away with a bad report card. Now, her parents find out right away.

“He’s very persistent,” she said, recounting a time when Mr. Doyle followed her friend, fellow sophomore Tatyana Croslin, into class to make her remove her hat. 

Tatyana, 15, said he also followed her to the gym one time, to make sure she was going to class.

“He walks around and interacts with students,” she said. “He talks, he doesn’t yell, so he’s cool,” she added.

“He’s cool sometimes,” said Jade.