Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Lee Ann Wentzel earned her bachelor’s degree in social studies secondary education from Clarion University. She also holds a master’s degree from Temple University. Her administrative certifications and credentials were received from Widener University and The University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Wentzel joined the faculty at Ridley High School in 1990 as a social studies teacher. She served as Dean of Students prior to becoming an assistant principal at the high school. Ms Wentzel transitioned to the central office with responsibilities as the Assistant to the Superintendent and Board Secretary. Ms. Wentzel became the district's fifth Superintendent of Schools since 1967 with her appointment in 2010.
As Superintendent, Ms. Wentzel serves as the Region Representative to the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) Board of Governors. She has been a member on the PASA Legislative Committee. Currently, she acts as a Legislative Advocacy Instructor in the PASA New Superintendents’ Academy, represents PASA on the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Board of Governors, and works as the Southeast Region Representative on the PASA Women’s Caucus. Ms. Wentzel also represents Pennsylvania with a seat on the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Board of Governors and most recently was elected to the AASA Executive Committee. In 2017, she participated in the Lifetouch Memory Mission to serve as a volunteer to build a school in the Dominican Republic.
Ms. Wentzel's local responsibilities include a seat on the Professional Advisory Council for Delaware County Career Technical Schools, membership in the University of Pennsylvania Superintendents’ Study Council, Chair of the Delaware County Superintendents' Fiber Optic Board, participation in the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Educator Evaluation Program for Pennsylvania State University and Widener University, and consultation with Cheyney and Lincoln University as part of an education think tank and student teaching planning. Ms. Wentzel is a member of the Delaware County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification. She holds additional credentials for school safety, such as a certified ALICE Active Shooter Trainer. Ms. Wentzel has also been recognized by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the International Thespian Society in 1999 as part of the Administrative Team Award and again in 2017 as an Administrator. The Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union also named her the 2017 Financial Literacy Advocate.
Since 2010, the district has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished District. District Administrator Magazine designated Ridley as a District of Distinction for the development of the Digital Learning Platform, with one of the first in PA 1:1 technology device implementation in 2013. These awards build on a long history of innovation in the district that had one of the first WAN in PA K-12 education and is part of the consortium co-owners of the Fiber Optic Network in the county. AP Course offerings have increased by 16.7%; AP test takers increased by 20.3%; the AP scores of 3 or higher went from 68.1% to 94% since 2010. In 2023, there were 28 AP Scholars, 16 AP Scholars with Honors, and 25 AP Scholars with Distinction. Ridley High School and Leedom Elementary School have been named in the US News & World Report as top schools.
A few highlights from 2022-2023:
Academics
Delaware County elementary team award winners in the county STEM Competition for the second year in a row
Five high school students received national recognition from The College Board
Two students were commended from the National Merit Scholarship Program
Ridley High School was named an Apple Distinguished Program for use of technology
Elementary schools Young Authors winners
Members of the graduating class were bestowed over $142,000 in scholarships and other awards
Ridley High School student attending the technical school won a statewide graphics competition
Ridley High School 3rd place in the state for the National History Day competition
Ridley High School senior named a prestigious Questbridge Scholar receiving a 4-year scholarship to Vanderbilt University
Extracurricular
The Ridley Drama Group earned two Philadelphia Independence awards for their production of Matilda.
Ridley High School Cheerleading state and national qualifier
Medal winners from the elementary and middle schools from the Delaware County 24 Competition
Post season competition runs for football, girls’ soccer, wrestling, boys’ swimming, girls’ diving, baseball, softball, girls’ track, boys’ track, girls’ lacrosse, and boys’ lacrosse
Rhapsody was a semi-finalist in the B101 Christmas Choir Contest
Two-day Festival of Arts with demonstrations and presentations by all age groups
Wrestling had a PIAA state medal winner
Windscript was ranked as excellent in the 2022 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) Program.
Boys Swimming had a two-time PIAA state gold medal winner
Girls’ Diving had two PIAA state qualifiers and one medal winner
Superior ratings and selections to the PMEA music festivals for groups from the middle and high schools in competitions
Mock Trial team qualified as the top Delaware County school
13 students had featured artwork as part of the Art Exhibition at Delaware County Community College
Community Service
Ridley Middle School raised nearly $3,000 through the Egan Classic
Ridley High School Boys’ Basketball raised over $3,000 for the Coaches vs. Cancer cause
Ridley High School student named junior firefighter of the year
Over $27,000 raised to fight juvenile cancer through the Mini-Thon
Over $10,000 were raised in the fall and spring charity drives, as well as support during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to support Ridley families in need
Two new Eagle Scouts
Ridley High School school store The Locker donates over $10,000 through its' operations