Chapel Hill's Kelly Finalist For Georgia Principal of the Year

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Chapel Hill High School Principal Sean Kelly has been named one of five finalists for the 2018 Georgia Principal of the Year honor.

The finalists, selected by their colleagues in the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, will go through a final interview in Athens before the year's winner is announced.

"Dr. Kelly’s leadership skills are well known in his school community and our district," said Douglas County Schools Superintendent Gordon Pritz. "He is very focused and driven to improve achievement for all students in his school. He certainly embodies the highest professional qualities of a school administrator."

A native of Albany, Kelly was also a Principal of the Year finalist last year.

He received his B.S. degree in Physical Education from Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, and his M.Ed. and his Ed.S degrees from the University of West Georgia. Kelly earned his Doctor of Education degree from Kennesaw State University.

He began his educational career in 1993 at Turner Middle School as a physical education teacher and coach. In 1995, Kelly accepted a position at Lithia Springs High School where he spent the next nine years teaching physical education and coaching football, baseball, softball and basketball at one time or another.

In 2004, Kelly went to Douglas County High School where he served for three years as an assistant principal. He served as principal of Haralson County High School in Tallapoosa, for one year and was then named principal of Chapel Hill High School beginning July 1, 2008.

Chapel Hill High School has won numerous recognitions and honors during Kelly’s tenure as principal, including being named an AP (Advanced Placement) Access School, AP Access and Support School, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Achievement School, AP Capstone Program, and Douglas County School System AP Honor Roll Distinction. Chapel Hill was also recognized by the school district for its achievement on the 2015 EOC (End of Course) Georgia Milestones Assessment and was listed as one of America’s Best High Schools That Challenge Their Students to Excellence, as listed in The Washington Post.

"Chapel Hill is about high expectations for everyone who enters our building," Kelly said. "These Panther expectations are communicated on a daily basis so that we all have the same understanding of how we go about the business of our school. These expectations begin with the students and extend to our teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and community. We will do whatever it takes to increase opportunities for our students to succeed."

The Principal of the Year recognition program is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals and Association Member Benefit Advisor (AMBA).

The Georgia winner will represent the state in the competition for National Principal of the Year, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The Principal of the Year program recognizes principals who excel in educational leadership, resolving complex problems, developing self and others, and community service.

Photos courtesy Douglas County Schools