Superintendent

A Message From Dr. Ross

Dear LexRich5 Family,

Our District has been transformed! For the last three years, we have been planning Operation Transformation. As a result, we have restructured our educational program to ensure all elementary, middle, and high schools have the same grade levels and start times. We have redistricted our schools to maximize the space of our existing campuses as student enrollment trends shifted. We renovated three (3) campuses with new instructional classroom wings to ensure all students can learn in brand-new buildings with improved technology, new furniture and increased natural lighting. The true purpose of these changes was to highlight our district’s vision and mission of transforming the lives of the students we serve. With the start of the 2026-2027 school year, we highlight the transformative power of education to improve the academic, social, and emotional growth and development of all students. The “Take Flight” theme for the 2026-2027 school year is inspired by the growth students achieve when provided with intentional, targeted instruction.  Like a butterfly taking flight after leaving the chrysalis (cocoon), our students will “take flight” well prepared for college, career, and life.

The 2026-2027 school year is also the last year of our five (5) year strategic plan. The strategic plan is the long-term direction of the district and articulation of the vision and mission statements in the measurable goals and strategies established by our school community. School District Five envisions a future where every student will feel loved in our schools through our focus on mental health and emotional self-regulation, and will demonstrate academic growth through an educational program that meets the specific instructional needs and interests of every student. 

Together, we will develop our next 5-year plan for the 2027-2032 time frame. The success of our district in 2032 will fundamentally depend on our ability to pursue our vision and mission today. We are committed to empowering our teachers and families and providing them with the tools to meet the specific needs of all students. We are excited to introduce the iReady assessment tool, which will replace MAP testing in elementary and middle schools. iReady will not only provide teachers with detailed diagnostic information about their students but also provide parents with reports explaining their child’s growth targets and academic strengths and weaknesses. Parents can also partner in the learning process by monitoring Chromebook activity through the iBoss Parent Portal. The iBoss Portal allows parents to control screen time after the instructional day and to see their children's online activity. 

I am most excited about the student learning expectations our district has created to help our students develop the critical- thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills necessary to be successful in life. When school, home, and community partner together, success is always the result. Join us as we “Take Flight” for another great year of Loving and Growing Our Students. 

Sincerely,

Akil E. Ross, Sr., Ed.D.
Superintendent 

 

Biography

Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr. is an experienced educator who currently serves as the Superintendent for Lexington-Richland School District Five. He started his career in education over 20 years ago as a teacher and coach at Eau Claire High School in Columbia, South Carolina. In 2005, he joined Lexington-Richland School District Five, where he worked as an assistant principal and then became the principal of Chapin High School. In 2018, he left Chapin High School to become the Director of Secondary Education for the district. Dr. Ross is also an accomplished author and an Affiliate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of South Carolina (UofSC). He left School District Five in 2018 to start HeartED, LLC, an educational consulting firm that shares lessons and strategies to help communities empower every child. He was appointed as the Superintendent of School District Five in February of 2022.

Dr. Ross earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University in 2002. In 2005, he obtained his master's degree in Secondary Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. In 2009, he earned his educational specialist degree from South Carolina State University. In July 2012, he earned his doctorate in Curriculum Studies from the University of South Carolina.

Throughout his career, Dr. Ross has received numerous professional recognitions and accomplishments. In 2017, he was named the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) Secondary Principal of the Year, and in 2018 he received the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal of the Year award. He was also featured in Principal Leadership Magazine, The Rotarian Magazine, and Columbia Business Monthly as one of the 50 Most Influential people in 2018. In 2020, Dr. Ross was named the UofSC College of Education Adjunct Professor of the Year. In 2026, Dr. Ross was named Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association and the State Superintendent of the Year by SCASA.

Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr.

Superintendent

803-476-8169

aross@lexrich5.org

 

Amee White

Executive Administrative Assistant for Board of Trustees and Superintendent

803-476-8169

awhite@lexrich5.org