Atlanta Public Schools and the Atlanta Board of Education have announced the appointments of 13 new principals and an updated date for the first day of the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.

New First Day of School for 2025-2026
The first day of school for the 2025-2026 school year will be Monday, August 4, 2025. The previous date was Friday, August 1.

New Principal Appointees for 2025-2026
All of the following appointments are effective July 1, 2025:

Gerard Latimore, Principal, Benteen Elementary School
image002.gifWith over a decade of experience in education and leadership, Mr. Latimore has demonstrated consistent success in improving student achievement, teacher effectiveness, and school culture. As an Assistant Principal and former Instructional Coach at Benteen, he led initiatives that significantly increased academic performance, reduced disciplinary issues, and boosted teacher leadership. His extensive professional development—including programs from Harvard and Georgia State—reflects his commitment to continuous growth and excellence. Mr. Latimore's passion, strategic vision, and proven leadership make him exceptionally well-suited to lead Benteen Elementary into its next phase of success.

Heather P. Stephenson, Principal, Bolton Academy
image003.gifAn award-winning educator with over 20 years of experience, Ms. Stephenson has served Atlanta Public Schools since 2005 in various roles including teacher, special education lead teacher, assistant principal, and currently, Interim Principal at Bolton Academy. Ms. Stephenson is known for improving student outcomes through data-driven strategies, innovative programs, and staff development. Her leadership in literacy and math has been recognized by the Georgia Department of Education. She is a passionate advocate for equity, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and a dynamic presence in educational leadership.

Holly Brookins, Principal, Burgess-Peterson Elementary School
image004.gifWith over a decade of school leadership experience, Dr. Brookins has a proven track record of driving academic success, improving school climate, and fostering inclusive communities. As principal in a neighboring district, she led her school to achieve its highest CCRPI scores and earned state recognitions such as the GOSA Beating the Odds and Silver Achievement awards. Dr. Brookins excels in early literacy, instructional leadership, and strategic community partnerships, including securing significant grant funding and leading district-wide training initiatives. Her data-driven, student-centered approach and demonstrated ability to build strong teams make her exceptionally qualified to lead Burgess-Peterson Academy into continued excellence.

Keenya Jackson, Principal, Cleveland Avenue Elementary School
image005.gifDr. Jackson brings a wealth of experience, having served in various roles throughout her educational career, including classroom teacher, instructional coach and curriculum support teacher. Dr. Jackson currently serves as an assistant principal in a neighboring school district. Dr. Jackson’s professional journey displays a strong foundation in education, with extensive experience in supporting teachers and students with varying needs, managing school operations, and contributing to faculty development.  She is dedicated to building teacher capacity while creating a positive school culture to improve student outcomes.

Chendra Dupree, Principal, Herman J. Russell West End Academy
image006.gifDr. Dupree brings a broad range of experience at both the school and district levels, having served as a teacher, an instructional and literacy coach, intervention coach, and currently as a high school principal. Her diverse background equips her with a deep understanding of instructional leadership and school improvement. She is well-prepared to lead with vision, integrity, and a strong commitment to educational excellence.

Langston Longley, Principal, John Lewis Invictus Academy
image007.gifSince joining Atlanta Public Schools in 2004, Mr. Longley has served with distinction in a variety of roles, including teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal Fellow, and most recently, Principal for the past ten years. His leadership was recognized in 2023 when he was named Principal of the Year by Communities in Schools. His leadership has been marked by a focused dedication to improving student achievement and creating a supportive, high-performing learning environment. His experience, vision, and passion for educational excellence make him exceptionally well-suited for this role.

Chante' Blackwell, Principal, Perkerson Elementary School
image008.gifMs. Blackwell has demonstrated a strong commitment to educational excellence through her service as a teacher, leader support specialist, and assistant principal. She brings a wealth of experience at both the school and district levels, including her current role supporting the assessment office in a neighboring district. Her deep instructional knowledge, combined with her ability to foster a positive and productive school climate, uniquely positions her to lead Perkerson Elementary with distinction.

Lami Ojezua, Principal, Scott Elementary School
image009.gifSince joining Atlanta Public Schools in 2007, Ms. Ojezua has served with excellence in numerous capacities, including teacher, Instructional Coach, Continuous Improvement Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and most recently, Interim Principal. She was honored as the 2024 Assistant Principal of the Year for Atlanta Public Schools. Ms. Ojezua has shown a strong and consistent dedication to supporting the growth of both students and teachers, with a clear emphasis on improving student achievement at William J. Scott Elementary School.

Stacey Welsh Perot, Principal, Smith Elementary School
image010.gifMs. Perot is a dedicated educational leader with over three decades of experience in teaching, instructional leadership, and school administration. Currently serving as Principal at Garden Hills Elementary, she brings a strong background in dual immersion and IB PYP programs, with a proven track record of improving student achievement and mentoring new leaders. She is a Cahn Fellow and Advisor, a former "Teacher of the Year," and a committed advocate for bilingual and ESOL education. Her career reflects a lifelong dedication to inclusive, high-quality education and staff development.

Phillip Braziel, Principal, South Atlanta High School
image011.gifMr. Braziel brings a wealth of experience, having served in various roles throughout his educational career, including classroom teacher, master scheduler, and assistant principal. As an Assistant Principal, he has demonstrated strong leadership by guiding and supporting key school initiatives, strengthening school culture, and cultivating leadership among emerging educators within the building. His efforts have not gone unnoticed as he was nominated for Assistant Principal of the Year and previously honored as a former Teacher of the Year.  Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success.  Mr. Braziel also contributed to team efforts that successfully improved the school’s graduation rate. Mr. Braziel's dedication and leadership make him well-prepared to lead South Atlanta High School into the next chapter of excellence and success.

Octavius Harris, Principal, Therrell High School
image012.gifMr. Harris has served with distinction in multiple roles within Atlanta Public Schools, including teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. He currently serves as a principal in a neighboring district, where his leadership as a results-driven leader exemplifies a strong commitment to student achievement and school improvement. Under his leadership, the schools he served have made measurable strides in student achievement, graduation rates, and overall school climate. 

Dante Edwards, Interim Principal, Garden Hills Elementary School
image013.gifSince joining Atlanta Public Schools in 2002, Dr. Edwards has served in a variety of roles including teacher, Assistant Principal, Magnet Coordinator, and Principal. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to the success of both students and staff. His focus on academic excellence and student achievement makes him well-suited for the position of interim principal at Garden Hills Elementary, to lead the school into its next chapter of growth and success.

Kimberly Latchman, Interim Principal, Maynard H. Jackson High School
image014.pngWith over 20 years of experience in education, Dr. Latchman brings a wealth of knowledge and a diverse skill set focused on driving positive student outcomes and fostering strong teacher support. At Maynard Jackson High School, she has served as an Instructional Coach and, most recently, as Assistant Principal. Her unwavering commitment to student success is rooted in data-informed decision-making, robust professional development for educators, and deep engagement with the school community. These strengths make her well equipped to serve as Interim Principal of Maynard Jackson High School.

These 13 school leaders join seven that were approved and announced by the Board last month:

Brian Baron, Principal, Morningside Elementary School
Summer Clayton, Principal, E. Rivers Elementary School
Tiauna Crooms, Principal, Booker T. Washington High School
Shermain Jennings, Principal, Frederick Douglass High School
Angela Mitchell, Principal, North Atlanta High School
Kristy Reese, Principal, L.O. Kimberly Elementary School
Adib Shakir, Principal, Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy