Stacy McMillen Named Middle School Principal for 2025-2026 School Year

Rutgers Preparatory School is delighted to share the appointment of Assistant Principal Stacy McMillen as Middle School Principal beginning July 1, 2025. After being informed by Bob Marotto that he wished to step away as Middle School Principal next year following 12 years of service in that role, Head of School Dr. Steven Loy undertook an extensive search. This week, Loy announced to the faculty and staff that Ms. McMillen has been selected for the role. Taking the helm this summer, McMillen will continue to build on the programs and initiatives that Marotto and she have developed together for the past 12 years.

In his role as Principal, Bob Marotto constructed a divisional approach that is committed to kindness and compassion. His Middle School Programs are founded on the Prep Values of Personal Integrity, Respect, Empathy, and Perseverance. In the dozen years he has been Principal, Bob has been the hallmark of a dedicated leader in service of students, their families, and the faculty. Rutgers Prep, and especially the Middle School, are very appreciative of his devoted leadership, his decision making, his ability to lift others up and to help them succeed, and his amazing reservoir of patience that has served hundreds of students.

Commitment to Education

With more than two decades of dedicated service to the Rutgers Prep community, McMillen brings a wealth of experience, a passion for education, and a commitment to fostering a supportive and dynamic environment for students and faculty alike. 

McMillen’s passion for education was inspired by her mother, a grade school teacher who loved her job, so from a young age, she understood that a career in education was a meaningful and satisfying pursuit. “I always loved understanding the complexities that lay beyond the surface details and studying politics and history filled in the story,” said McMillen, whose academic focus was in these two subjects while attending UCLA. “For me, education is the most powerful part of the process of understanding and making sense of the world.”

Her career in education began at the post-secondary level, teaching for eight years at a small state college in Nebraska. After the birth of her son, she made the decision to move to a place that offered greater diversity and opportunity and in 2002, interviewed at Rutgers Prep to teach US History and AP American Government in the Upper School.

During her interview and campus visit, McMillen experienced a feeling that many of the School’s teachers have in common, particularly those who are not NJ natives. “It was only the second time I had been in New Jersey but RPS immediately felt like a community where my family and I would thrive,” she said. “When I was offered an Upper School teaching position, I accepted. I’ve stayed because of the community–the faculty and staff, the students and families–and the opportunity to try new things, like teaching Middle School, where I have been since the Fall of 2013. My son started school here in 2003 and graduated in 2018; he grew up on this campus. RPS felt like home in 2002 when I first visited. It still feels that way today.”

Prepared to Lead

McMillen’s experience as Assistant Principal has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the Middle School’s academic and community culture. "I’ve had the chance to teach 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and work closely with a team of faculty who care deeply about student learning," she said. In addition to her teaching experience, McMillen has managed schedules, organized communication, and coordinated various aspects of ArgoNet, the School’s digital learning and scheduling platform. "I’ve planned school field trips (and been on a fair share of them!) and I’ve learned how to help students be the best version of themselves. I have learned something new every year I’ve been in the Middle School, and I cherish the lessons I have learned from Bob.”

Strengthening Curriculum and the Student Experience

During her tenure as Assistant Principal, McMillen played a significant role in curriculum development and technology integration. She collaborated with faculty to update the Middle School curriculum across all subjects and was integral in the development of the Core course catalog, which allows students in grades 6-8 to explore a variety of subjects that tie into overall learning objectives like creative expression, leadership and service, scientific innovation, and self awareness/self advocacy, among others.

She, in partnership with Marotto and the RPS Technology Department, also managed the implementation of the Middle School’s 1:1 iPad program, ensuring that students and teachers have access to digital resources that enhance learning. The 1:1 iPad program at Rutgers Prep deepens students’ learning experience by integrating technology into their daily classroom activities in a way that supports creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. This initiative equips students with essential digital skills for research, organization, and project creation, laying a strong foundation for their future academic development.

Expanding on a Vision of Growth and Innovation

As she transitions into the role of Middle School Principal, McMillen’s top priorities include strengthening partnerships between parents and faculty, continuing to foster a sense of community, and embracing innovative learning opportunities. "Maintenance of the partnership with parents and faculty is the foundation of Middle School learning at RPS," she said. She also acknowledges the importance of building upon the existing strengths of the Middle School while exploring new approaches to education. "Working with Middle School-aged students has taught me to get comfortable with uncertainty and to try new things when the opportunity arises. Some new ideas will be amazing; some won’t. But you don’t know until you try."

McMillen also has a deep appreciation for working with Middle School students, recognizing their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. "[It] has taught me to embrace the ideas of adolescents–these kids are smart and they ask good questions about the world–and to be open about trying new ways to learn," she said. "The developmental changes of the three years of Middle School rival those of the first years of life for a child – it’s a time rich with change but also uncertainty. This time in a child’s life sets them up to head to high school with knowledge of what they most enjoy learning and why they like it so much. It is rewarding to be a part of these years in a child’s life. [They also] aren’t afraid to laugh and there is energy in that laughter that makes our community strong,” added McMillen.

The Heart of the Rutgers Prep Experience

When asked about her most rewarding moment, McMillen recalls a deeply meaningful reflection, perhaps one that harkens back to the reasons behind her decision to leave Nebraska and move across the country to teach at Rutgers Prep. "There are a lot of things I think about with pride, but one moment stands out,” she said. “My son graduated in 2018, and at the Senior Parent Dinner that year, he expressed gratitude for his time at RPS. That was a rewarding moment for me as a mama; I was proud of him. But I was also able to see that he and I were part of a community that reminded us to be grateful, and I was glad of that."

Beyond her leadership role, McMillen wants the community to know that she leads with empathy and authenticity. "It’s something that I hope many people already know about me–I care deeply and I am a heart-on-her-sleeve kind of person–I always have been. I am never embarrassed to have big feelings and for those feelings to be seen. I don’t apologize for feeling big feelings. And since I know this about myself, I’m never without a few tissues!"

Outside of her work, McMillen finds joy in nature, gardening, and reading. "In my free time, I like to be outside among the trees, work in my garden–I have a well-cultivated green thumb–and read books. It’s my not-so-secret fear that one day I will run out of books to read, a terrifying prospect."

A Legacy of Leadership and the Next Chapter

Head of School Steve Loy expressed confidence in McMillen’s leadership, but first took a moment to recognize the contributions of outgoing Middle School Principal Bob Marotto. "Bob’s decades of service to our community is remarkable, and we all are so appreciative of his leadership. His demonstrated commitment to student-centered education in a climate of kindness has been a gift to so many families over the years. We have been so fortunate to have Bob’s compassionate and steady guidance, and I am confident that this same approach will continue under Stacy’s leadership.”

Loy also emphasized what set McMillen apart in the search for a new principal. “I spoke with many candidates for the position of Middle School Principal, any number of whom would have provided us with solid leadership,” he said. “But none matched Stacy’s commitment, experience, dedication to and appreciation of our mission. I am excited for our Middle School with Stacy as Principal, and I am very pleased that Bob has accepted an invitation to remain with Rutgers Prep next year in a role that will continue to utilize his wonderful skill set.”