Jonathan Will, Poplarville High School principal, has been named the Poplarville School District Administrator of the Year for 2018-2019.
Mr. Will has served as principal of PHS since 2013 following stints as principal for South Forrest Attendance Center, North Forrest High School, Valley Middle School (in Ohio), and most recently Stringer Attendance Center. Before serving as an administrator at these schools, Mr. Will coached baseball and was a classroom teacher at Petal High School, Henry County High School (in Kentucky), and was the PE instructor, health teacher, and head baseball coach in Poplarville from 1995 – 1999.
Over the years, Mr. Will has several awards and recognitions including an “Excellent” Accountability Rating from the Ohio Department of Education, Baseball Coach of the Year (North Central Kentucky Conference), Baseball Championship for the North Central Kentucky Conference, and led the 1999 PHS baseball team to a Region 8-3A Baseball Championship.
Here in Poplarville, the high school has had many academic successes during Mr. Will’s tenure. PHS has received an “A” Accountability Rating in 2014, 2017, and 2018 from the Mississippi Department of Education. The graduation rate has steadily increased to currently rank Poplarville School District as the fifth highest graduation rate in the state at 94.7% up from 81.7% in 2014. ACT composite scores have also increased from 17.8 in 2014 to 19.6 in 2018.
“Partnering with the PHS students, staff, and Poplarville community is the highlight of my career.” Mr. Will stated. “It is such a blessing and privilege to work with the best students and staff in our state. Their commitment to building a culture where all students strive to be their best on a daily basis makes PHS such a special place.”
Mr. Will is married to Andrea Will, PHS and MSP choir director, and has four sons, Ben, Mark, Matt, and Sam all students at the Middle School of Poplarville.
Pictured: Carl Merrit (left), Poplarville Superintendent of Schools, presenting Jonathan Will (right), with the Administrator of the Year certificate.