Barrett Reese named principal of Academic Magnet High School

Barrett Reese has been named principal of Academic Magnet High School, effective July 1, 2026, the Charleston County School District (CCSD) announced.

Reese currently serves as principal of Early College High School, where he has led with a focus on student opportunity, strong culture and academic excellence. During his tenure, the school has achieved notable outcomes, including 80 percent of graduating seniors earning an associate degree, 100 percent of students meeting College and Career Readiness benchmarks, and all students earning a C or higher on the English II End-of-Course exam.

Under his leadership, the school has also developed a nationally recognized positive culture, with 98 percent of students reporting a strong social and learning environment, placing it in the 99th percentile nationwide. His work has emphasized expanding access to rigorous coursework, strengthening instructional practices through AVID, and supporting students through a comprehensive system of academic and social-emotional resources.

Mr. Reese’s leadership reflects a commitment to high expectations paired with strong systems of support. At Early College, he has overseen more than 1,400 dual credit enrollments annually, strengthened partnerships with Trident Technical College, and implemented collaborative, learner-centered instructional practices that empower both students and teachers.

Prior to serving as principal, Mr. Reese held roles as assistant principal at Early College High School and Simmons-Pinckney Middle School, where he focused on instructional leadership, student support systems, and school culture development.