Meet Dr. Akil Ross - Superintendent of Lexington-Richland District 5 Schools

Meet Lexington-Richland School District Superintendent Dr. Akil Ross. “He flunked the third grade. Now he’s the best high school principal in the nation.” This was the headline from the local newspaper after he was announced the National Principal of the Year.  Dr. Akil Ross’ story is a testimony of the power a community has to transform a struggling student into a high performing student.  Akil grew up in Washington, DC during the height of a drug and crime wave that claimed the potential of many young people in his community.  In the midst of these conditions, transformational elements were made available that empowered him to maximize his potential. He credits his home, his elementary school and a recreational center for teaching him how to face adversity and overcome obstacles early in his life.  As a result of the high expectations set in his home, school and on the playing field, Akil was able to earn a full scholarship to Duke University. Upon graduation from Duke University, Akil moved to South Carolina, where he taught Social Studies for three years at Eau Claire High School in Columbia, SC. In 2005, he obtained his M.Ed. in Secondary Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina and joined Chapin High School as an assistant principal in July of 2005.  After 5 years as an assistant principal, he was named principal in July of 2010. In July of 2012, he earned doctorate degree in Curriculum Studies from the University of South Carolina. Chapin High School received many awards and recognitions under Akil’s leadership such the Palmetto’s Finest Award, Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse Award, several national rankings in academics from Newsweek, Niche, Washington Post and US News & World Report. His school earned 20 State Championships in 8 Years (14 State Championships in Athletics, 4 State Championships in Marching Band and 2 NJROTC State Championship including 1 National Championship). As principal of Chapin High School, Dr. Ross was named the 2017 SC Secondary Principal of the Year and the 2018 NASSP National Principal of the Year. He has received numerous professional recognitions and accomplishments during his career including: the 2017 South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) Secondary Principal of the Year and the 2018 National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal of the Year. He was featured in The State Newspaper, 20 under 40, Class of 2017, Principal Leadership Magazine, The Rotarian Magazine and Columbia Business Monthly, 50 Most Influential, 2018. Dr. Ross was named the 2020 UofSC College of Education Adjunct Professor of the Year. In 2018, he left Chapin High School to serve as the Director of Secondary Education for the district. Dr. Ross is also an author and Affiliate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of South Carolina (UofSC). He left School District Five in 2018 to start HeartED, LLC, an educational consulting firm, to share lessons and strategies to further his vision of a future where every community empowers every child. He was named Superintendent in School District Five on February of 2022. He and his wife Jocelyn live in Columbia, SC and have two children, Alyssa and Akil Jr. “AJ.". You can reach Dr. Akil E. Ross at 803-476-8169 or [email protected]. Learn more about this podcast and how community and commerce merge with the Chamber Neighbors - www.chapinchamber.com.