Principal

Hello Spartan Families! 

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year. Over the past 19 years, I have worked as a teacher and administrator in the surrounding local districts and even spent time leading former Spartans from the sidelines as a coach. My educational career includes teaching high school mathematics at Pennridge HS and Upper Perkiomen HS, and prior to my arrival here, I was a high school administrator at Emmaus HS and Upper Perkiomen HS.  Each school year I strive to move our students forward while staying committed to the traditions and practices that have created such an amazing foundation here at Southern Lehigh High School. Progress has been made over the past three years and I look forward to taking additional steps this school year as we continue to move Southern Lehigh High School forward.

One of the cornerstone aspects of our high school is the development of students through our District Mission: Learning. Serving. Leading.  High School Administration, teachers, and staff push students to learn not only content but life skills of communication, problem-solving, time management, and more. Students are given multiple opportunities to serve their school and the community outside through the numerous clubs and teams we offer.  Our staff empowers and guides students to forge their path beyond graduation, taking the lead in achieving their aspirations.

Throughout the year, the Principal’s Newsletter is shared through email and linked below. The newsletter highlights updates to our school, celebrates student achievement, and provides details and reminders about events happening at SLHS. I am looking forward to another great school year with everyone. 

Mr. Miller

PRINCIPAL'S SUMMER UPDATE #1

Assistant Principal (Last Names A-K)

Melissa Petronio is one of the Assistant Principals at Southern Lehigh High School and is responsible for students with last names A-K.  Mrs. Petronio is a graduate of Cedar Crest College and attended Penn State and Kutztown Universities where she received her Educational Leadership and Master’s of Education degrees.  Mrs. Petronio started her educational career as a middle school teacher in the Allentown School District.  She transitioned to an administrative role in 2012, serving as a middle school assistant principal.  Prior to joining the Southern Lehigh team in February 2024, Mrs. Petronio was an Assistant Principal at Louis E. Dieruff High School.  Mrs. Petronio is excited to welcome returning and new students to the high school for the 2024-2025 school year.

Assistant Principal (Last Names L-Z)

Mr. McConnell is one of the Assistant Principals at Southern Lehigh High School and is responsible for students with the last name L-Z. Prior to this role, he spent eight years as an Assistant Principal at Francis D. Raub Middle School in the Allentown School District. The previous 10 years were spent in the classroom as a Social Studies teacher at William Allen High School in the Allentown School District. There, he taught World Cultures, World Cultures ESOL, American History, and American Government, with his primary specialty in Economics and Advanced Placement Macroeconomics. Mr. McConnell took an active role in the school community, serving as an Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach, Class Advisor, Homebound Instructor, Twilight School teacher, a member of the School Climate and Safety Committee, and as an advisor for the William Allen Construction Company.  He is an adjunct professor at DeSales University.  Mr. McConnell is a graduate of Rider University with a B.A. in Secondary Education and Social Studies. He has two Masters degrees from Wilkes University in Educational Development & Strategies, and Educational Leadership.