On Monday, Feb. 24 at 9:20 p.m., the Allen ISD school board announced Carrie Jackson as the new Allen High School principal for the 2025-26 school year, following the retirement of current Principal Matthew Russell at the end of this school year. The board voted unanimously for this decision.
“To follow Matt Russell is humbling for me, as I have known and respected his work and
leadership for years,” Jackson said in a letter sent to Allen staff via email at 9:25 p.m. “I am excited to work directly with Matt on the leadership transition through the Spring and Summer. As the current Principal of 6A Northwest High School, I also recognize that Matt and I both have important work to do in closing out our time in our current roles with the full focus both of our campuses deserve.”
Jackson also said she will be attending Allen events “very soon.”
Jackson has 30 years of experience in different educational roles before Allen High School. Before becoming a principal, she was a seventh-grade English language arts teacher at Crocket Middle School in Irving, Texas. She received awards such as “Campus Teacher of the Year.” She first served as vice principal at two schools in Irving ISD, including Crocket Middle School and Nimitz High School. Jackson then served as principal at a Keller ISD campus for 12 years. Her most recent position was principal at Northwest High School in Northwest ISD up until her new employment at Allen High School.
