May 20, 2024
Greensboro, Ga. — Greene College & Career Academy CEO John Ellenberg has been appointed as the new interim Principal of Greene County High School. In this dual role, he will continue to lead GCCA while overseeing GCHS, a combined leadership model that has been successful in several neighboring rural school districts with high school college and career academies.
As GCCA's CEO, Mr. Ellenberg has guided the academy from its inception to a thriving organization offering 13 pathways in fine arts, advanced academics, and career, technical, and agricultural education. Under his leadership, GCCA has become a cornerstone of workforce development in Greene County, achieving a 100% graduation rate for pathway completers over the past five years, surpassing the state average by three points. He established a career coaching program that now boasts 184 community volunteers and partnered with the Thillen Education Foundation to further enhance educational opportunities. GCCA's dual enrollment program with Athens Technical College has led to numerous college credits earned by high school students and a 100% college acceptance rate for its dual enrollment participants. Recently, GCCA received a perfect score in its first accreditation review from the Technical College System of Georgia, a testament to Ellenberg’s effective leadership.
“Mr. Ellenberg’s selection as principal will reinforce the success of the college and career academy by expanding his proven leadership experience to the high school as a whole,” said Superintendent Dr. Chris Houston. “I was pleased to see the Board of Education vote unanimously to support Mr. Ellenberg in this new role.”
Mr. Ellenberg, a native of Greene County and a 1991 graduate of GCHS (then Greene-Taliaferro Comprehensive High School), has a rich background in education. Before being named GCCA's CEO in 2018, he served as Principal of Newton High School for five years, managing a student body of over 2,400. During his tenure, he significantly improved student learning, post-graduate opportunities, and the school's College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) scores. He also developed a strong athletic program, with teams frequently reaching regional and state playoffs.
Prior to his principalship, Mr. Ellenberg was an Assistant Principal and played a crucial role in the construction and transition to Newton High School’s current campus. His educational career began as a high school science teacher and football coach. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Georgia College and State University, a Master's degree from Georgia Piedmont College, and a Specialist degree from the University of West Georgia.
“In my career, I have never been more excited about the opportunity to collaborate with students, parents, and the community to provide educational experiences that empower students to achieve their personal goals,” Mr. Ellenberg said. “Greene County is my home; it's where I grew up and graduated from this very school. I am deeply committed to the responsibility of guiding our students with the utmost dedication and care.”
Mr. Ellenberg’s appointment promises to further integrate the successful initiatives of GCCA with Greene County High School, enhancing educational and career opportunities for all students.
