In her 13 years leading the school, Nicole Petersen has helped take Brentwood Middle School from a low-performing status with the state to meeting, and even exceeding, state standards.
That success helped earn Petersen recognition as the 2026 Colorado middle-level principal of the year by the Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals.
Petersen previously taught language arts for seven years at University Schools — three in middle school and four in high school — before taking the helm at Brentwood in Greeley. Petersen also served as an assistant principal at Greeley Central High School for four years.
Brentwood Middle School Principal Nicole Petersen poses for a portrait in a hallway at Brentwood Middle School in Greeley on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)“I was interested in … the big systems of how a school was run, and how we can really meet all kids’ needs,” Petersen said of her transition from teacher to principal.
Brentwood Middle School, which is part of Greeley-Evans School District 6, offers 13 programs and clubs, including the International Baccalaureate program. Whether it be sports, robotics, music or any other activity, Petersen said Brentwood Middle School students try new things and experience different cultures.
“It’s our job to help them figure out where their passion is,” she said.
When Petersen started at Brentwood, the school was in priority improvement status with the Colorado Department of Education. Today, Brentwood consistently meets or exceeds state expectations for growth. The middle school has also been recognized as a “School to Watch” three times and has received the Colorado Department of Education Center of Excellence award twice.
“(Petersen) is an exceptional leader, who has helped create a culture of caring and learning at Brentwood Middle School,” District 6 Superintendent Deirdre Pilch said in a news release. “She is devoted to knowing all her students and ensuring they have the support they need to be successful. She supports her staff so they can have the time and resources they need to serve students. The change she has helped lead at Brentwood is remarkable.”
Brentwood Middle School has roughly 585 students and about 40 certified staff members.
Brentwood Middle School Principal Nicole Petersen talks to kids in a classroom about behavior expectations while visiting classrooms at Brentwood Middle School in Greeley on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)Although Petersen was named middle-level principal of the year, she made clear that the honor is a reflection of Brentwood’s dedicated students and staff.
“All of the schools in our system really believe in relationships and rigor and this relentless hope and how it can change outcomes for kids,” Petersen said.
Petersen’s award comes just two months after Greeley Central’s Stephen Paulson became the first District 6 educator to be named the Colorado teacher of the year.
Each fall, teachers, staff and school district leaders from across Colorado are invited to nominate candidates for the Colorado Principal of the Year award, according to Colleen O’Neil, deputy executive director of the Colorado Association of School Executives. After the nomination window closes, all nominees are asked to complete a comprehensive application that includes references from students, parents and district leaders, including the superintendent.
The Board of Directors for the Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals reviews and scores every application using a competitive process. A small group of top-scoring candidates is then invited to participate in finalist interviews. After interviews, the board selects the principal of the year.
Brentwood Middle School Principal Nicole Petersen listens to Mondeo Atassoko, left and Fatimah Zuhra Mohamad Yunus, right, explain a project they are working on in their class at Brentwood Middle School in Greeley on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)“We really believe in having this … sense of joy and belonging and this relentless belief in our staff and students,” Petersen said.
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