From parents to students, all Vikings were curious about the next step when Principal Vance Jones announced he would be leaving Spartanburg at the end of the 2022-23 school year to take a position closer to his family in Columbia. Arriving from Chapman High School, new principal Dr. Andrew McMillan was up for the challenge of leading Spartanburg High – and he is already making an impact.
Omner Grinder (11) takes his education seriously and has hopes for wonderful things at SHS, under the direction of McMillan.
“I think he (Dr. McMillan) is a pretty cool guy, and he could definitely help this school, even if he has some hard principles and standards. Overall, a really good guy,” Grinder said.
McMillan was raised in the Upstate of South Carolina and loves living here. Since he was in the third grade, McMillan knew that he wanted to be a principal. The impact from his parents being principals helped him understand and realize that he wanted to make that same impact. During his high school years at Chapman High School, where he graduated as part of the Class of 2001, he played football and basketball.
After high school, McMillan went to Newberry College for his undergraduate degree and Southern Wesleyan University for his Masters in Education. During this time, he taught in Lexington, S.C., at Lexington Middle School and White Knoll High School. While teaching social studies at Lexington Middle School, he became the athletic director and head coach for football and basketball teams.
Terrika Foster, an assistant librarian and varsity basketball coach, enjoys working at SHS and has high hopes for the future under McMillan’s leadership.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that Dr. McMillan has given me to work here. He is an awesome principal with all he has done so far with the students and staff. I am very excited to see what wonderful things he will continue to do for the remainder of the school year,” Foster said.
McMillan got an education specialist degree from Converse College and his doctorate from South Carolina State University. Coming back to the Upstate in 2014, he became the assistant principal at Chapman High. In 2018, he became principal of Chapman High until July of 2023, when he was named the new principal of Spartanburg High. After meeting the faculty and staff before the new school year, McMillan was introduced to the Viking community at Open House on Aug. 20.
At home, McMillan likes to spend time with friends and family. Watching the Carolina Gamecocks play is a way he bonds with his wife, Dr. Shelly McMillan, and 5-year-old son, Ellis.
As a leader who gives everything to his job, McMillan wants the best for SHS. Creating a loving environment is one of his top goals for students and faculty. McMillan also wants the school to be the focal point of the community, helping to bring people together.
Not knowing what the future holds, McMillan is ready to face any challenge that may occur and wants the best for this school.
“I want to run the best high school in the county, state and country,” McMillan said.
