Lake County Gazette

Dan Landry, principal of Grayslake Central High School, has been named the 2025 Administrator of the Year by the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (IAHPERD). Landry began his career at Grayslake Central nearly 30 years ago as a Social Studies teacher and coach. Over the years, he has held roles including Dean of Students and Assistant Principal for Student Services before becoming principal in 2014.

In response to receiving the award, Landry said: "All I did was meet with our Life Fitness Department Chair to discuss equipment needs. I just support our staff and students to implement their ideas. I didn’t do anything special."

Landry's leadership is noted for prioritizing athletics and student safety. He explained: "Athletics and physical activity are important to me, but the safety of my students is essential. When we looked at our old weight room—which is literally a former bomb shelter—we saw that space was being used inefficiently. Our goal was to make sure all students could participate safely."

As principal, Landry has worked on partnerships and solutions to improve school facilities while maintaining fiscal responsibility. His approach aligns with Grayslake Community High School District 127’s commitment to student-centered decision-making.

Looking ahead to his planned retirement in 2027, Landry said: "I want to leave this place ready for the next chapter. Maybe I’m even more vocal now about advocating for what our students and staff need—whether that’s programming, facilities, or future planning." He added: "The building and education have changed a lot since I got here. I’m busy asking our teams, ‘What are our dreams for our students?’ And finding ways to make it happen."

Grayslake Community High School District 127 includes both Grayslake Central High School and Grayslake North High School in Lake County (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district employs 195 teachers who earn an average salary of $79,647 according to state data; nearly 60 percent are women (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student body is made up of approximately 58 percent White students, with Hispanic students making up a quarter of enrollment (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, district spending totaled over $88 million or $31,874 per student (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

Landry regularly engages with students about their experiences in Life Fitness classes as part of his focus on Relevant, Engaging, Authentic Learning.