DURHAM, N.C. – Former Duke football letterman Dr. Akil Ross was recently named the National Principal of the Year for his work at Chapin High School in Chapin, S.C. Ross, who lettered at linebacker for the Blue Devils from 1999-2001, has received numerous honors while at Chapin, culminating in the selection by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Among Ross’ most notable accomplishments at Chapin are lifting the graduation rate from 82 percent to greater than 96 percent and increasing academic proficiency. He has done this through what he refers to as his six Rs: “Ready to learn, Respectful to others, Responsible to ourselves, Rigor in teaching, Relevance in learning and meaningful Relationships among students, faculty and staff.