The Rockbridge County School Board has announced the appointment of Shaun Sparks as the next principal of Rockbridge County High School (RCHS), effective Jan. 1, 2026. The appointment was formally approved during the School Board’s regular meeting on April 8. He will succeed Mike Craft, who is retiring.
Sparks is a familiar face within the Wildcat community, having served as an assistant principal at RCHS for the past two years. During this time, he has developed strong relationships with students, staff, and families, while helping to strengthen the school’s academic programs and positive school culture, said Superintendent Phillip Thompson.
A seasoned educator with a diverse background, Sparks brings extensive experience to his new role. His previous positions include high school teacher, director of School Counselors, assistant principal in another Virginia school division, director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), principal of a high school CTE center, and supervisor of Student Services.
Sparks holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Radford University, a master’s degree in school counseling from Liberty University, and an endorsement in Educational Leadership from James Madison University.
He will begin the transition into his new role this fall and officially assume full leadership responsibilities in January 2026.
“We are confident that Mr. Sparks’ leadership, experience, and deep understanding of our school community will continue to move Rockbridge County High School forward,” said Thompson. “We are excited about the future of RCHS under his guidance.”
