Thomas Jefferson High School graduate to take over as new principal

Fairfax County Public Schools has anointed a new principal for its prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Michael Mukai, a TJ alum who currently serves as the principal at West Springfield High School, was hired after a nationwide search following the departure of Dr. Ann Bonitatibus, who led the magnet school for about seven years, FCPS announced Jan. 9.

Bonitatibus left in November after accepting a new role in the school division's human resources department as executive director of talent acquisition and management. Started in 2017, her tenure at TJ was highlighted by changes to the school’s admissions policy that aimed to diversify the student body but sparked debates in the community and a multi-year legal battle.

In its announcement of his hiring, FCPS signaled confidence in Mukai’s ability to helm TJ, lauding him as an “exceptional leader with a track record of upholding academic excellence while driving innovation.”

“Michael Mukai has a passion and a vision that is second to none,” FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid said. “I am excited to see the amazing work he will do moving forward for excellence and opportunity.”

The first TJ alumnus to become principal, Mukai was part of the school’s inaugural class when it launched as a magnet school to promote science, technology and math education in 1985.

He went on to major in chemistry and earn a master’s degree in math education from Virginia Tech. Mukai has worked in FCPS since 1995, becoming principal at West Springfield High School in 2014.

“I am deeply honored to be named the next leader of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and will continue the legacy of excellence that shaped my own academic journey nearly 40 years ago,” Mukai said in a press release. “I am committed to ensuring every student here thrives academically, sharpens their critical thinking skills, and embraces innovation to navigate tomorrow’s challenges.”

Mukai will officially start working in his new position “later this month,” an FCPS spokesperson told FFXnow. FCPS didn’t immediately share details about the process for identifying Mukai’s successor at West Springfield.

More from FCPS on Mukai’s work at West Springfield:

"Mukai has been the principal of WSHS since 2014. He has held a variety of school-based positions in FCPS since 1995, when he began his career as a math and science teacher. He also coached four different varsity sports.

His many accomplishments at WSHS, include:

Significant gains in advanced academic access and success which has resulted in gold recognition by the College Board for the AP School Honor Roll.

Increasing the number of students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program.

Cappies recognitions for theater arts, honor band recognitions, Virginia Music Educators Association recognitions, district, region, and state championships in Virginia High School League athletics and activities."

Located at 6560 Braddock Road in Lincolnia, TJ is open to students from Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties as well as the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. As of November 2024, it has 2,105 enrolled students.

Applications for admission this coming fall were due on Nov. 15, 2024, and prospective students will be notified by April 30. Last year, the school offered admission to 550 students, including applicants from all FCPS middle schools.

After the Fairfax County School Board eliminated a standardized test in 2020, among other changes, TJ’s admissions process now involves considering GPA requirements, a problem-solving essay, a student portrait sheet highlighting their skills, and “experience factors,” which take into account whether a student faces economic, disability or English-language challenges.