The Beaufort Academy (BA) Board of Trustees has named Mr. Stephen Schools as the new head of school, effective July 1, 2014.

[caption id="attachment_16154" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/School-New-BA-headmaster-Stephen-Schools.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-16154" alt="New BA headmaster Stephen Schools" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/School-New-BA-headmaster-Stephen-Schools-300x226.jpg" width="300" height="226" /></a> New BA headmaster Stephen Schools[/caption]

A native of Charleston, S.C., Mr. Schools graduated from Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics with a Minor in Education from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earned a Masters Degree in Mathematics from The Citadel, and another Masters Degree in Education from Columbia University in NYC.  He attended the prestigious program for independent school education at the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University.

Mr. Schools has served in administration of independent schools for the last nine years, most recently as the Head of Upper School at The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland in Baltimore, MD, and Augusta Preparatory Day School in Augusta, GA.

He has taught mathematics for the last twenty years.  Additionally, he served as the Sports Coordinator at Porter-Gaud School and was the recipient of the Gibbes Award for Teaching (2000) at Porter-Gaud.

“My family and I are excited to become a part of the Beaufort Academy community,” said Mr. Schools.  “BA is a warm and welcoming place, and we look forward to becoming an integral part of the team. I am eager to get started and to help continue building upon the school’s strong foundation. I am humbled and honored by this great opportunity.”

The Beaufort Academy Board of Trustees is thankful to Ms. Julie Corner, who served as the Interim Head of School after the loss of Dr. Randy Wall, and who was the Head of School for two additional years.  Ms. Corner has been instrumental in ensuring the continued success of Beaufort Academy’s strategic plan and guiding the school through its latest technology upgrades. She has also been an active participant in the search for the new Head of School, and joins in the enthusiasm in finding her successor, as Beaufort Academy embarks upon its 50th school year this fall.

“The Board of Trustees thoroughly appreciates the continued support from Ms. Corner throughout the search process for a new Head of School, and for her years of service and commitment to Beaufort Academy,” said Beaufort Academy Board Chair, Charles Tumlin.  “Early in our search, Stephen became a strong candidate, and we are thrilled that he will be joining our team. One of the things that impressed me from the beginning is his passion for education; Stephen is a true, lifelong educator, which was evident from the first time we met.  We are fortunate that our paths crossed at exactly the right time for both Stephen and BA.”

“As a member of the search committee, I am thrilled Mr. Schools has accepted the offer to become the new Head of School,” said Chilton Simmons.  “He has a superb reputation in the academic and independent school network, in both teaching and administrative experience, spanning from Charleston to Baltimore to Augusta. He is known to be a team builder and has creative, exciting ideas to foster our students’ education and the core values of Beaufort Academy.  Beaufort Academy looks forward to welcoming him, his wife Christy, and their two lower school children to our school and our community!”