As we prepare to celebrate the new year, we want to share an important and exciting update. Admiral Farragut Academy is delighted to announce Dr. Charles H. Skipper, Ph.D. will serve as the next President and Head of School effective July 1, 2023, following an extensive search by the Board of Directors, which commenced this summer. He will succeed Interim Head of School Kevin Lockerbie, who continues to support Farragut during this period of transition.
Dr. Skipper brings tremendous professional experience as a world-class administrator with four decades in K-12 education, starting as a teacher in 1982. During his career, he has led seven schools of all sizes in the United States and abroad, including domestic, international, co-educational, day, and boarding schools, such as The American School in Switzerland.
Dr. Skipper’s outstanding strengths as an educator and renowned administrator will help steer the school through key milestones on the horizon, including our upcoming reaccreditation process in 2023-2024, initiatives to increase boarding enrollment, a new capital campaign, and continued implementation of our strategic plan, Vision 2025. He brings an immense depth of knowledge of successful school administration that will guide and benefit Farragut far beyond our 90th year of educating young leaders.
Dr. Skipper currently serves as the Head of School of the Field School of Charlottesville, Virginia, following a headship at the Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey, a coeducational day and boarding school of more than 1,000 students. Prior to that, he led The American School in Switzerland, a Pre-Kindergarten to Post Graduate day and boarding school. Charlie has also led independent, college preparatory schools in Louisiana, South Carolina, and Virginia, and served as the Director General and Head of School for Escuela Americana in El Salvador.
During his tenured career, Dr. Skipper has demonstrated success in achieving significant gains in enrollment; leading, training, and retaining faculty and staff; implementing strategic plans resulting in financial success; and reenergizing a strong sense of shared purpose among school communities. He is the proud son of a Navy Master Chief and resided in Tampa Bay early in his childhood before attending Old Dominion University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Dr. Skipper has a Ph.D. in Evaluation Program Design and Educational Evaluation and a Master’s in Education with a concentration in Educational Administration and Supervision, both from George Mason University.
“It is an honor and a privilege to join the school community that, for me, since childhood, has been my model for a great school,” said Dr. Skipper. “Challenges abound in our world, but few schools are as well positioned by history, location, program, and people not only to succeed but also to thrive. I am excited about what the future holds for Admiral Farragut Academy.”
The Farragut Search Committee conducted an extensive effort beginning in June with the guidance of national search firm Southern Teachers. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I trust that Dr. Skipper’s leadership and vision for education, in collaboration with our outstanding faculty and staff, will achieve new foundational success for Farragut’s future.
Yours in Service,
Ashley Patterson Beaty ‘02
Chairwoman
Board of Directors
