Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) recently announced the hiring of three new principals for Chapel Hill High School, East Chapel Hill High School and McDougle Elementary School.
This leadership transition takes place after all three high schools in CHCCS were ranked as the top public high schools in North Carolina. CHCCS spokesperson Jeff Nash said that the district was excited for the new leaders, who would bring a fresh perspective and renewed energy to the district.
Charles Blanchard (Chapel Hill High School)
Charles Blanchard, the incoming principal at Chapel Hill High School, started teaching in 1995 and has worked as a high school principal since 2006.
“The high schools have an excellent reputation,” Blanchard said. “I was excited about the opportunity to come to a high school that has a rich tradition of academic and extracurricular excellence.”
Blanchard has been recognized as both a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow. He said that he finds being in a high school environment to be “energizing.” He described his administrative style as student- and teacher-friendly, and he tries to avoid being in the office during the day so that he can be visible to students.
“My plan coming in is, I’m going to do a lot of listening and learning,” Blanchard said. “I want an environment that’s inclusive for all students.”
Outside of work, Blanchard spends as much time with his family as possible. The oldest of his three children will be a first-year at Chapel Hill High this fall, and the family has always prioritized involvement in school activities and extracurriculars.
Blanchard said that one of his priorities at his new position will be to oversee the ongoing renovations for Chapel Hill High, which broke ground in June.
