Which Midlands educator is in the running for national Principal of the Year?

Chapin High School principal Akil Ross is one of three finalists for National Principal of the Year.

“All the credit goes to my Chapin family – our staff, students, parents and community,” said Ross, who has been principal at the school for six years. “Without them, none is this is possible.”

He was praised by the National Association of Secondary School Principals for significant improvement in graduation and academic proficiency. That happened after he provided extra instruction for struggling students to lessen dropouts, the group said.

Ross was state high school principal of the year in 2016 was and a member of The State’s 20 under 40 class for 2017.

Lexington-Richland 5 Superintendent Stephen Hefner called him “an extraordinary leader who has set the highest of standards.”

The award winner will be announced in October.

This story was originally published August 1, 2017 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Which Midlands educator is in the running for national Principal of the Year?."