Photo by Milton Morris
Dr. Akil Ross, Chapin High School principal
HOMETOWN: Born and raised in Washington, D.C.; now lives in Columbia
AGE: 38
CLAIM TO FAME: Principal of Chapin High School; 2018 National Principal of the Year, awarded by National Association of Secondary School Principals
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree from Duke University; master’s and doctoral degrees from University of South Carolina
AT HOME: Married to Jocelyn Ross, whom he met when they were kids in vacation Bible school; father to Alyssa, 8, and A.J., 4
HUMBLING MOMENT: After winning his award, Ross got a phone call from his wife as he drove to a school event. “I thought it was going to be ‘Congratulations! You’re National Principal of the Year!’ And she was like, ‘You left the dishes in the sink.’”
Strolling through a sea of students in Chapin High School’s hallways, Dr. Akil Ross wears a wide grin. The former college linebacker is a charismatic presence, fist-bumping and high-fiving students, greeting many by name, trading jests with a booming laugh.
Some days, he moves his desk into the hall, just to get closer to the people who populate his school. “There’s an energy here,” Ross says. “I love learning what they’re passionate about!”
Under his leadership, Chapin’s graduation rate climbed to a high of 96 percent in 2016. Every year he’s been principal, Chapin has won state championships and awards. To Ross, however, his 2018 National Principal of the Year award recognized something better.
“Our story wasn’t about test scores, graduation rate or some new academic program,” he says. “Our story was about improving the social and emotional health of kids—how we can empower kids to be resilient.”
Ross knows about resilience. He grew up in a rough section of Washington, D.C., losing a friend to gun violence in sixth grade. He struggled academically after his parents split up, getting back on track with the help of a no-nonsense teacher who demanded his best efforts.
His motto for the school—“A thousand passions, one heartbeat”—sums up what he and his staff do: “It’s about recognizing the unique and individual passions of each child. One heartbeat is that, together, we bring these out, and we’re connected in a community of people who care about each other.”