PJHS' Rentrop is state Principal of the Year

PATTERSON — St. Mary schools are beginning to attract attention.
Less than a month after the parish’s public schools were recognized for LEAP test growth, Patterson Junior High’s Lauren Williams Rentrop was crowned Saturday as the Louisiana Principal of the Year by the state Department of Education.
“It’s an exciting time for St. Mary Parish,” Rentrop said in an interview Monday.
The award was presented in a ceremony in the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, in a hall memorializing past battles. Rentrop described her feelings as “surreal.”
“This prestigious honor is a testament to Mrs. Rentrop’s unwavering commitment to educational excellence, visionary leadership, relentless pursuit of student success!” the St. Mary system said in a Facebook post. “She inspires with purpose, and reminds us each day that the greatest leaders are those who lift others higher!”
Rentrop’s honor comes after Patterson Junior High’s prospects have been lifted since she became principal in 2019.
At that point, PJHS was rated as a school in decline with “urgent intervention required,” in the language of Department of Education accountability determinations.
But by 2025, the PJHS school performance score had risen 18.1 points to 80.8, the highest among the district’s middle schools.
Patterson Junior High earned a B letter grade in the state’s accountability system.
“I don’t view it that I did anything extraordinary,” Rentrop said.
Rentrop’s connection to Patterson runs deep.
A Morgan City native, MCHS graduate and holder of bachelor and master’s degrees from Nicholls State, Rentrop began her career as a teacher at Hattie Watts and Bayou Vista elementary schools.
She is a former assistant principal at PJHS and Hattie Watts.
Rentrop is married to Dale Rentrop Jr. They have three children.
On July 6, the St. Mary district announced that the Louisiana Department of Education has recognized St. Mary as one of the top three school systems in Louisiana for demonstrating LEAP test growth in grades 3-12 for students achieving Mastery and Above.
And in January, Raintree Elementary custodian Donella Wagner received a Recognizing Inspiring School Employees award from by the U.S. Education Department.