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Former Blue Devil is National Principal of the Year
DURHAM, N.C. – Former Duke football letterman Dr. Akil Ross was recently named the National Principal of the Year for his work at Chapin High School in Chapin, S.C. Ross, who lettered at linebacker for the Blue Devils from 1999-2001, has received numerous honors while at Chapin, culminating in the selection by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Among Ross’ most notable accomplishments at Chapin are lifting the graduation rate from 82 percent to greater than 96 percent and increasing academic proficiency. He has done this through what he refers to as his six Rs: “Ready to learn, Respectful to others, Responsible to ourselves, Rigor in teaching, Relevance in learning and meaningful Relationships among students, faculty and staff.”
“It did not take long to recognize that Dr. Ross is an agent of infectious change,” Susanne Thompson, vice president for professional development at Discovery Education and a member of the NASSP selection panel, said. “He focuses first on helping people understand and value their purpose. Then, by binding their purposes, Dr. Ross leads a group of professionals to act to improve learning for each student at Chapin High School.”
Congratulations @ChapinHigh @DrRossChapinHS! You are the 2018 @NASSP Principal of the Year! 🦅🏆We are so proud! #LexRich5Schools #Pridein5 pic.twitter.com/ZmLsiLncC2
— Lex-Rich 5 Schools (@LexRich5Schools) October 20, 2017
Ross, who is in his seventh year as principal of Chapin, was tabbed the South Carolina Principal of the Year in November of 2016 and was listed in The State’s 20 Under 40 Class of 2017.
“Akil Ross' accomplishments illustrate just how important it is to invest in leadership as a means of improving student learning,” NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti remarked. “We are honored to recognize him as a powerful multiplier of effective practice and as a model of compassionate school leadership.”
Congratulations to @ChapinHigh Principal Dr. Akil Ross on being named National Principal of the Year! pic.twitter.com/LQ4x2TSdcN
— Molly Spearman (@Molly_Spearman) October 20, 2017
Ross received his bachelor’s in political science with minors in history and education from Duke before obtaining his master’s in educational leadership and Doctor of Education degree from the University of South Carolina.
While with the Blue Devils, Ross played in 20 career games, booking 17 tackles and a quarterback pressure.
#GoDuke
