District Seven announces the appointment of Dr. Andrew McMillan as principal of Spartanburg High School effective July 1, 2023. Dr. McMillan will succeed Dr. Vance Jones, who has been principal since 2019.
Named Secondary Principal of the Year for 2022 by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA), Dr. McMillan currently serves as principal at Chapman High School in Inman, S.C., which was named a National Blue Ribbon School during his tenure in 2020. He was assistant principal at Chapman for four years prior to becoming principal in 2018. Recognitions for his leadership and accomplishments also include being named Outstanding Principal of the Year by the S.C. Art Education Association in 2019, being selected for the “Emerging Leaders” cohort by the S.C. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development in 2018, and inclusion among 24 leaders statewide chosen for the S.C. School Leadership Executive Institute sponsored by the State Department of Education and Truist. He is also the current president of the S.C. High School League Class AAA.
Prior to his tenure at Chapman, Dr. McMillan was assistant principal at Campobello-Gramling School. He taught 8th grade social studies and was head basketball coach, head football coach, and athletic director at Lexington Middle School. At White Knoll High School, he taught social studies and was head JV basketball coach and varsity basketball assistant. He also taught social studies, served as interim department chair, and was C-Team head basketball coach at Spartanburg High School’s Freshman Academy.
An Upstate native who grew up in a home with parents who were educators, Dr. McMillan says education was in his blood at an early age. As a third grader, he knew the field would become his own career path. Now in his 18th year of education, including 11 years of administrative experience in grades K-12, Dr. McMillan says his core values are simple: “Love kids. Be professional. Lead a school the community is proud of.” Within those core values, he fosters an environment that supports the Profile of the SC Graduate, preparing students for life after high school in what he calls the 4 E’s: “Serving their community as an Entrepreneur; being Enrolled in a two or four year college or technical program or Enlisted in military service; or graduating as an Employable adult in our competitive, 21st century global economy.”
McMillan is a frequent presenter and facilitator for conferences and professional development sessions for educators and has published numerous articles on education-related topics, such as How to Engage Non-Responsive Students, Life Skills Every Teen Should Learn this Summer, What is an Individualized Education Plan?, Encouraging Students Through a Mentoring Program, The Impact of Innovation in Education, and Re-Designing the Traditional High School Setting, among others.
“Andrew McMillan is the clear choice as our next leader of Spartanburg High School and we could not be more excited to welcome him to the Viking Family,” said Spartanburg School District Seven Superintendent Jeff Stevens. “This position has tremendous impact not only within Spartanburg School District Seven but also within the greater Spartanburg community. As our flagship high school, SHS sets the standard of excellence that all students and families aspire to throughout our district, and it is the pinnacle of our students’ experience as we inspire and equip them for lives of leadership and service as world citizens. Dr. McMillan is highly respected as a collaborative team member with a reputation for fairness, honesty, and integrity. He maintains a strong work ethic while motivating faculty, staff, and students to achieve their maximum potential within an ever-changing educational environment. We are heartened by the fact that his appointment is a homecoming of sorts - he was a teacher and coach at the SHS Freshman Academy early in his career, and we are proud to welcome him back to make his home among our Vikings once again.”
"It is a true honor to be chosen as the Principal of Spartanburg High School,” said Dr. McMillan of his appointment. “My family and I are excited to be able to serve the Viking Family and the City of Spartanburg! Spartanburg High School has a rich tradition of excellence in academics, arts, athletics, and activities, and I look forward to working alongside the tremendous faculty and staff, students, parents, and community stakeholders as we carry out the mission and vision of Spartanburg District Seven and Spartanburg High School. I am thankful to Superintendent Jeff Stevens for this incredible opportunity. Go Vikings!"
Dr. McMillan received his undergraduate degree in History and Education from Newberry College, his Master’s of Education from Southern Wesleyan University, his Educational Specialist degree from Converse College, and his doctoral degree in educational leadership from South Carolina State University. He and his wife, Dr. Shelly McMillan, have one son, Ellis, who is 4 years old.
Watch Dr. McMillan addressing SHS faculty and staff during the announcement here.
The McMillan family enjoyed a tour of SHS following the announcement:
