Caleb Leath, principal at Wilson Elementary, has been named the principal of the new Denton ISD K-8 Virtual Academy. His role as leader of the virtual campus will begin July 1 and the school will open for the 2021-2022 school year.

“I am so proud to work for a district that is forward-thinking and innovative in planning for our future,” said Mr. Leath. “Denton ISD’s decision to create programs like the K-8 Virtual Academy to meet the various needs of our student population is second to none and aligns with my mission in education perfectly. I am passionate about creating options for our students and I am looking forward to getting started on the hard work ahead.”

The Denton ISD K-8 Virtual Academy is a public, tuition-free school, for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Opening for the 2021-2022 school year, Denton ISD’s fully remote option will provide an opportunity for students who thrive in the online environment to continue learning virtually. 

Mr. Leath came to Denton ISD from nearby Sanger ISD in 2006 as a teacher at Navo Middle School. After a four-year stint on that campus, he then moved to Nelson Elementary as assistant principal where he would stay for three years before moving to Wilson Elementary. After two years as the assistant principal, in 2014 he was name principal of Wilson Elementary. Mr. Leath has spent the past 12 years in campus administration.

 “We are thrilled to bring Mr. Leath into this role to lead our new virtual learning academy,” said Dr. Lacey Rainey, Area Superintendent of Academic Programs. “Because of his passion for our students and this new opportunity, Mr. Leath consistently rose to the top of our applicant pool and we know that he will be a tremendous asset to those students and families who choose to continue their learning experience virtually for years to come.”

A resident of Denton since 1994, Mr. Leath is married with two kids, one who is a rising sixth-grader heading to Strickland Middle School and the other a rising ninth-grader heading to Ryan High School this fall. He also holds a pilot’s license, and his hobbies are traveling to visit state and national parks, playing board games with his wife and kids, and riding bicycles.

Mr. Leath received his undergraduate degree from Tarleton State University in 2000, and a master’s degree in education administration from Texas Woman’s University in 2008.

Wilson Elementary will open in the fall of 2021 in a new building in the same location. The district has renamed the campus Shultz Elementary for Nette Shultz, the original donor of the property on which the campus currently resides and is undergoing re-construction.