Dr. David T. Palank, Jr. is President of San Miguel School in Washington, DC, a Lasallian, Catholic, tuition-free middle school serving young men from low-income families. All students are the sons of immigrants, English language learners, and/or the first in their families to pursue a college education. Grounded in the belief that every young man possesses extraordinary potential, San Miguel provides the rigorous academics, faith formation, leadership development, and long-term support needed to transform potential into opportunity, and opportunity into lifelong success.

Dr. Palank has dedicated his career to expanding educational opportunities for young people. Since joining San Miguel in 2007, he has served as teacher, Principal, and now President. Since becoming Principal, San Miguel has earned full accreditation and Cognia STEM Certification, doubled student enrollment, achieved 100% acceptance of graduates to college-preparatory high schools, maintained a 100% high school graduation rate among alumni, and increased college enrollment to more than 80%. Under his leadership, the School has also expanded its North Star Graduate Support Program, accompanying students from middle school through college and into their careers.

Beyond his leadership at San Miguel, Dr. Palank has also served on numerous nonprofit and educational boards throughout his career. Dr. Palank is actively involved in advancing Catholic and Lasallian education through service and governance. He currently serves on the DENA Council, the Board of Catholic Business Network–DC (CBN-DC), and on two committees for the Lasallian Education Center in Homestead, Florida. In 2025, he represented the DENA Council at the international De La Salle Christian Brothers Cluster Meeting in Rome, collaborating with Lasallian leaders from around the world.

Dr. Palank earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from Salisbury University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Marymount University, and a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University. He is also certified in Brain-Based Coaching through the NeuroLeadership Institute and is the author of Class Hacker: Master the Invisible Forces that Make Learning Stick.

A lifelong Catholic educator, Dr. Palank is passionate about forming young men of faith, integrity, and purpose while ensuring every student has the opportunity to discover his God-given potential. He lives in Maryland with his wife, Michelle, and their two sons, David and Maxwell.