Principal Robbie Hooker of Athens, Ga., A Finalist for Principal of the Year

Clarke Central High School Principal Robbie Hooker has been named a finalist for Georgia Principal of the Year. The Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals recently announced three middle and three high school finalists. 

“It is certainly rewarding to be named a finalist for such a prestigious honor, and I must give credit to the entire Clarke Central family. Working together, we have ensured our school has a focus on academic and extracurricular achievement, as well as a culture of respect,” said Hooker.

Finalists will undergo an interview in Athens in early February and the winner will be named shortly thereafter. The Principal of the Year recognition program is sponsored by MetLife and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals. The Georgia winner will represent the state in the competition for National Principal of the Year.   

Notably, MetLife and NASSP recently named Clarke Central one of ten Breakthrough Schools in the country for excellence in collaborative leadership; personalization; and curriculum, instruction and assessment. 

Hooker has been principal at Clarke Central since 2008. Under his leadership, the school has been named as one of the top 7% high schools nationwide by the Washington Post High School Challenge. Clarke Central is also regularly named an Advanced Placement Honor School by the Georgia Department of Education. 

Prior to Clarke Central, Hooker was principal at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School, an assistant principal in Barrow County and classroom teacher in various Georgia counties.  He earned his doctorate from Clemson University. 

“I commend Dr. Hooker for his well-deserved recognition. Under his leadership, Clarke Central and its students, teachers, teams and clubs regularly earn state and national level awards. Kudos to him for this honor,” said Superintendent Philip D. Lanoue.