About Us - Downingtown High School East (2024)

Paul Hurley is the Principal of Downingtown High School East Campus. He has served in this role for the past fourteen years. Previously he served as an assistant principal at the 9th Grade Center and then Downingtown High School West Campus for six years. He also taught Special Education and Alternative Education at both Lionville Junior High and Downingtown High School for nine years. He has a BS in Special Education from West Chester University, as well as a MEd in Curriculum and Instruction and a Principal’s certificate from Penn State University.

He is very familiar with the Downingtown community; not only is he a lifelong resident and graduate of Downingtown High School, he and his wife are raising their three children in the borough of Downingtown.

Spending my career to this point in the Downingtown Area School District has enabled me to see growth and changes throughout the years. I, in turn, value the challenges change can bring to my own learning. I eagerly seized the opportunity to transfer to East to have the opportunity to work with high school students, staff, and curriculum.

Beginning my career as a sixth grade teacher at Old East Ward Sixth Grade Center, I later moved to Lionville and Shamona Creek Elementary Schools. I was fortunate to teach language arts and math at Downingtown Middle School and also served as the Academic Advisor. I hold a BS in Elementary Education with a math minor from West Chester University. My middle level certifications include English and Mathematics. My MEd in Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction as well as my K-12 Principal Certification are from Penn State. I am currently enrolled in a K-12 Educational Leadership Doctoral program at Drexel University. Teaching three curriculum courses for Cabrini’s MEd program helps me stay connected to teacher issues and initiatives.

It’s important to me to stay current and passionate about what most affects our district’s students.
I am extremely fortunate to work with the best educators in the nation. DASD teachers are the single most important influence on our students’ achievement and success. I am excited and honored to be a part of the Downingtown High School East Campus team.

My vision for Downingtown East is to continue our journey to become the best possible environment for students to achieve “Educational Excellence.” Challenging our students to continue to develop the necessary critical thinking skills needed for success in an ever-changing society, and promoting confidence and positive attitudes will create an environment that enables exceptional scholastic and personal growth – equipping our students to be their best.