Washington Primary School Blasts Off to Great Year

Washington Primary School kicked off the new school year with big smiles and plenty of energy as more than 300 students arrived early in the morning ready for a full day of classes and activities.

“We are focused on new beginnings and learning adventures throughout the 2026/27 school year,” Principal Michelle J. Richards said. “At Washington we ‘Dream Big and Reach for the Stars.’ The year kicked off with a high energy kindergarten orientation.”

The school’s youngest “Washington Winners” met their kindergarten teachers and spent time in their new classrooms while their parents engaged in a presentation facilitated by Dr. Richards. “Our Mission is Learning: Learning Kindness, Belonging and Empathy as we Learn the Academics,” the principal said.

Washington School opened in September 1954. For many years, the building housed students in grades K-6. Its enrollment peaked at 629 students.

Dr. Richards has been Washington’s principal since July 1, 2018. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at SUNY Albany and a Master of Science degree in childhood education at City University of New York-Lehman College. She earned a Doctor of Education degree in educational administration and supervision at St. John’s University. She studied for her state administrative certification at CUNY-Queens College.

At the time of her appointment in Huntington, Dr. Richards was an assistant principal in the Elmont School District since 2013 and an administrator there since 2009. She began her career as a general education teacher in New York City. She worked at Public School 107x (2001-03) and Lewis H. Latimer School-PS 56K (2003-06). She later taught in Elmont at Gotham Avenue School from 2006-09.