Dr. Composto received his doctorate in School Administration and Supervision from St. John’s University. He received with honors, his Professional Diploma, Master of Science Degree in Special Education and Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Sciences and Elementary Education from Queens College.
Dr. Composto dedicated forty-five years of service to the NYC Department of Education, he was the Community Superintendent of District 30 for twenty-one years. He served as Local Instructional Superintendent, the Deputy Superintendent of District 30, Principal of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School, Special Education Supervisor, teacher trainer and teacher. He enjoyed being a part of the NYC Department of Education’s significant systemic reform efforts that help monitor the achievement equity and increase student performance.
As former Principal of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School, he was a member of the NYC Board of Education Middle School Initiative. This restructuring initiative, in collaboration with local universities, enabled participating schools to create learning environments that met the unique needs of individual children during the critical time of adolescent development. At the Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School, shared decision-making advisories, high parental involvement peer mediation and ongoing professional learning produced increased student achievement and attendance. In order to create small learning communities, Dr. Composto established houses within the school to support all students. In January 2000, Dr. Composto was appointed by Chancellor Levy as a member of the Distinguished Faculty of the Center of Recruitment and Professional Development Leadership program whereby he mentored new principals.
He has been the recipient of many honors. To name a few, Dr. Composto received the Coca-Cola Outstanding Educators Award nominated by a student of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School, the District 30 CEC Certificate of Achievement, Outstanding Leader and Citizen Award, the NYSD Middle School Association Ross M. Burkhardt Middle Level Education Award, the CSA Effective Leadership-Effective Schools Award and the Leaders in Education Award for Outstanding Achievement – St. John’s University Queens Campus.
Dr. Composto is a firm believer of professional learning. He is a member of many professional organizations such as the Phi Delta Kappa, St. John’s Chapter, the NY Academy of Public Education, Catholic Teachers’ Association, Middle School Principals’ Association-past officer, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.