Hear from our Head of School

Dear Viking Community,

Sixteen thousand hours-that is the amount of time that your child will spend with their teachers before high school commencement. In many instances, a young person will have more time with educators than parents. To that end, I’d like to introduce you to the instructors who will imbue a preparedness for academic excellence, college success, impeccable communication skills, independent adult living, innovative thinking, and resiliency during your child’s time at Vanguard. Our teachers are exponentially more than instructors, but they are master planters, and your child will reap the harvest from the fruits of Vanguard College Preparatory School’s teachers for a lifetime. 

As you already know, many independent schools boast of facilities and resources; however, the Vanguard’s ROI is its faculty and staff who dedicate themselves to the complete development of your child strong community of educational professionals. Vanguard’s teachers understand the nuanced stages of adolescent cognitive development, which endows them with empathy and nurturing hearts for young people and their challenges. Simultaneously, they will stretch young people beyond their comfort zones daily. Vanguard’s alumni don’t simply gain acceptance to the nation’s top colleges and universities; they thrive during college and graduate because of the competencies and skills that Vanguard’s teachers bequeath them. Our teachers get the most out of their portion of those sixteen thousand hours with your child.

During your upcoming admissions tour on campus, I hope that you’ll inquire about Robotics, Athletics, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and many other clubs and activities that will form your child into a well-rounded, healthy adult. Additionally, I encourage you to pay particular attention to our school culture as you visit learning environments, converse with students, and absorb our process of growing independence in young people.

We are thrilled that you’re considering Vanguard as a partner in your child’s secondary educational journey, and I look forward to welcoming you as the newest member of our Viking community soon.

Yours in Educational Excellence,

Johnny Graham, Head of School

About Johnny Graham

Mr. Johnny Graham has dedicated his career to independent school education. His professional experience includes classroom teaching, basketball coaching, football coaching, History department chair, Dean of Students, Assistant Head of School, and Head. In addition to this, Mr. Graham is a proud 1995 alum, former teacher, and current Board Trustee of McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

A three-time Head of School, Mr. Graham currently serves as Head of School at Williamsburg Christian Academy, a Pre-K through 12 International Baccalaureate continuum school. He was appointed in 2019 to bring leadership stability following five leadership changes in as many years prior to his tenure. At Williamsburg Christian Academy, Mr. Graham led strategic enrollment growth by improving professional teacher training, curriculum development and delivery, and establishing best practices, systems, and protocols.