A New Chapter at WEMS: Alicia Angione Steps In as Principal

West Essex Middle School welcomed its new principal, Mrs. Alicia Angione, on March 8, bringing with her not just experience, but an energy and approach that has already begun to shape the building.

Angione’s path to the principal’s office wasn’t exactly planned. In fact, she wasn’t even looking for a new job. “I had just had my second child. I was three weeks into maternity leave,” she said. “I wasn’t in that headspace at all.”

But after being encouraged to apply by a former mentor, Angione decided to go through the process simply for experience. That quickly changed. “As I went through the interviews, I just felt like everything they were looking for was who I already am,” she said. “It almost felt like I just got to come here and be me.”

That feeling, combined with West Essex’s long-standing reputation, made the decision an easy one. “Even growing up, West Essex always had this standard,” she explained. “And when I got here, it lived up to it. The community, the support, the pride – it’s real.”

Before arriving at West Essex, Angione built a wide range of experience in both the classroom and administration. She taught middle school and high school history, coached multiple sports, and later served as a vice principal in Paramus, where she handled everything from discipline to extracurriculars. Now, as principal, she says it all comes together. “A principal does a little bit of everything,” she said.

A major part of her approach centers on discipline—but not in the way students might expect. “I’ve always been ‘firm but fair,’” Angione said. “You can have real conversations with kids, help them understand their mistakes, and still hold them accountable. They don’t need to leave your office defeated—they can leave understanding what happened.”

She emphasized that consistency and clarity are key. “Kids don’t do well with the unknown,” she explained. “If they know what’s expected, they’re much more likely to meet those expectations.”

At the same time, Angione is focused on bringing more energy and school spirit into the building. While she praised the school’s academic strength, she sees an opportunity to make students feel more comfortable being themselves. “I want this to be a place where kids feel okay having fun,” she said, pointing to events like Spirit Week. “It shouldn’t feel awkward to participate. You can work hard and still enjoy being here.”

That balance is reflected in a phrase she’s already introduced to students: “We are West Essex.”

“It’s everything,” she explained. “We care, we show up, we represent our school wherever we go.”

Angione has also made it a priority to be visible and present each day. Rather than starting her mornings behind a desk, she spends the first hour walking the building, checking in with teachers and students. “I try to be in every classroom, every hallway,” she said. “Just getting a pulse on the building.” She’s taken a similar approach with staff, combining informal conversations with surveys and small group meetings to better understand their needs. “I’m not coming in trying to change everything right away,” she said. “I want to listen first.”

For families, Angione is focusing on communication and connection. She’s been active on social media, sharing daily moments from the school, and is working to make her newsletters more interactive. She also plans to be a regular presence at school events. “I’d rather connect with people in person whenever I can,” she said.

Outside of school, Angione describes herself first and foremost as a mom to her two young daughters. Family plays a central role in her life, from hosting gatherings to cooking and spending time together. A former powerlifter and self-described “history nerd,” she also enjoys staying active and visiting museums.

Above all, Angione says she’s simply excited to be here. “I wake up looking forward to coming to work every day,” she said. “It’s just an awesome place with great people and great kids. I’m really, truly happy to be here.”

As she settles into her new role, that enthusiasm — and her commitment to being both “firm and fair” — is already making an impression on the West Essex community.