District Five announces new principals for Chapin Middle, Chapin Intermediate schools

CHAPIN, SC – Lexington-Richland School District Five has named new principals for Chapin Middle and Chapin Intermediate schools.

Anna Miller, who serves as principal of the current Chapin Middle School, will become principal of the new school that will serve seventh and eighth grade students. Assistant Principal Vann Holden will take over as principal of the newly named Chapin Intermediate School, which will serve fifth and sixth grade students. Miller and Holden will begin their new roles at the start of the 2015-2016 school year.

District Five Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner said, “Opening a new school is always a milestone, and we wanted strong leadership to help set the tone for our families who have come to expect excellence from our schools. Both Ms. Miller and Mr. Holden have the skills, knowledge and expertise to continue our high levels of achievement, and we look forward to their service in their new important roles.”

Miller is in her third year as principal of the current Chapin Middle School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College and has a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina. In 2014, Miller was awarded the Columbia College Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award. She also is a member of the Palmetto State Teacher’s Association, South Carolina Middle School Association, Association for Curriculum and Development, Association for Middle Level Education, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. As a teacher, Miller was named Teacher of the Year for District Five for the 2007-2008 school year and earned her National Board Certification in 2000.

“I am thrilled and honored to be able to move with our wonderful staff and students to the new building,” Miller said. “I look forward to the journey ahead and continuing to build on the tradition of excellence at Chapin Middle School, and I am grateful to Dr. Hefner and our school board for allowing me this opportunity.”

Holden has been an administrator at Chapin Middle School since August 2012. He’s also served as an assistant principal at a middle school in Blythewood and as a teacher at several schools, including Dutch Fork Middle School where he started his career in education as a science and social studies teacher. Holden earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina’s Honor College. He also earned two master’s degrees from the school, one in secondary social studies and one in educational administration. While at Chapin Middle, Holden has participated and led many school groups and organizations; including the Chapin Middle School Improvement Council, Chapin Middle Parent Teacher Organization and Chapin Middle Bow Tie Club.

“It has been a privilege to serve the Chapin community and District Five, and I am excited about this new opportunity to shape the development of our students,” said Holden, incoming Chapin Intermediate School principal. “I look forward to working with our students, parents, teachers, and community members to create a meaningful learning experience that expands on the long history of excellence in Chapin and District Five schools.”

In December, the District Five board of trustees approved a name for the district’s new middle school being built in Chapin. The new school for seventh and eighth grade students will be named Chapin Middle School, while the current Chapin Middle School will be renamed Chapin Intermediate School. District officials say the new school was created to help maintain good class sizes prepare for ongoing growth in enrollment and maintain existing academic excellence.

Located on Broad River Road in Chapin, the new middle school is the final project of the 2008 Bond Referendum which has included the construction of Spring Hill High School and the Center for Advanced Technical Studies as well as upgrades at several schools throughout the district.