Mr. Mike Pflugrath Selected Assistant Principal of DoDEA Virtual High School

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is excited to welcome Mike Pflugrath as the new Assistant Principal of the DoDEA Virtual High School (DVHS), effective immediately. Mr. Pflugrath joins the DoDEA family following his retirement as Principal of Osbourn High School, where he led the school for the past five years.

Mike Pflugrath’s career is distinguished by his dedication to education and leadership, marked by significant achievements at Osbourn High School. Under his guidance, Osbourn saw its graduation rate increase from 78% to 90%, the highest on-time graduation rate in the school’s history, while the dropout rate decreased from 18% to 7.8%. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic ensured a smooth transition to online learning and facilitated 485 individual graduation ceremonies, underscoring his commitment to student success.

Before his tenure at Osbourn, Mr. Pflugrath’s career in education began after his service as an Army officer from 1992 to 1996. He served as a Platoon Leader and was deployed to Cuba, Panama, and Somalia, where he earned awards for valor in combat. Inspired by his high school coach and chemistry teacher, Tom Casey, Mr. Pflugrath transitioned into education, starting as a history teacher and boys’ basketball coach at Woodson High School in Fairfax County. His coaching excellence earned him district and region Coach of the Year honors, and his team won the district championship in 2005.

He continued his career at South County High School as a history teacher and basketball coach, later moving into administration as Director of Student Activities and Assistant Principal. His exceptional leadership earned him the title of Virginia Assistant Principal of the Year in 2018.

In his new role as Assistant Principal of DVHS, Mr. Pflugrath will bring his passion for innovative education and student-centered leadership to the virtual learning environment. He is eager to support the academic and personal growth of DVHS students, ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities necessary to succeed.

“Mr. Pflugrath is a fantastic addition to our school. He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a passion for students with him.” said Terry Marshall, Principal of DVHS. “We look forward to Mike’s leadership as we continue to provide a high-quality, flexible learning environment for our students.”

Mr. Pflugrath holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in history. He is joined by his wife Erika and their two sons, Noah and Dylan, as they transition to this new chapter in his career. In addition to his work with DVHS, Mr. Pflugrath looks forward to finding ways to support military families, drawing on his own experiences and understanding of the unique challenges faced by military children.

Please join us in welcoming Mike Pflugrath to the DoDEA Virtual High School. We are confident that his leadership will greatly contribute to the ongoing success of our students and staff.