Veteran school administrator Michael Ames has been named the next principal of Chapin High School.
Ames has been principal of Edisto High School since 2016, and previously served as an assistant principal at Chapin High School and other schools in Lexington-Richland School District Five. Ames replaces Dr. Akil Ross, who will become the district’s new director of secondary education beginning July 1.
“It’s absolutely wonderful. It feels like coming home,” Ames said. “Chapin High School has a long history of high achievement and success. I’m grateful for the opportunity that the School Board and district has given me and my family, and I look forward to many years of serving Chapin High.”
Ames started his career in education as a teacher and coach at Sherburne-Earlville Central School in New York. Between 2009 and 2013, he worked as an assistant principal at Dutch Fork High School, Chapin High School and Irmo Middle School. He also worked as a school administrator in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.
In his current role at Edisto High School, Ames has developed and implemented an internship program for students; developed the school’s “Next Gen” Magnet School for Honors, Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing; and implemented several technology trainings and programs for teachers and students.
“We are so proud to welcome Mr. Ames back to Chapin High School and back to School District Five,” said Superintendent-elect Dr. Christina Melton. “He is a visionary with a proven record of success, and I am confident that Chapin High School’s success will continue under Mr. Ames leadership.”