WS Chronicle

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) Board of Education has approved Brent Atkinson as the new principal of Reagan High School. Atkinson currently serves as an assistant principal at Reagan and replaces Brad Royal, who is retiring at the end of the 2024-25 school year. 

“I am so excited for Mr. Atkinson and his family as he takes on the wonderful role of leading Reagan High School and our community,” said Royal.  “He has been integral in all of our instructional decisions over the last six years and has helped push our school to the level of outstanding performance that has become our standard.  I am confident that he will help our school and our community navigate the coming years while maintaining the amazing level of excellence that he has helped create and nurture.” 

Atkinson first started with WS/FCS in 2006 as an 8th-grade science teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. There, he was named Teacher of the Year in 2008. He moved to Wake County Schools in 2011, where he taught AP chemistry and physical science at Holly Springs High School. There, he was named Teacher of the Year in 2013. In 2016, he transitioned to an instructional leadership position at Holly Ridge Middle School. He returned to WS/FCS in 2018 as a physical science and chemistry teacher at Reagan. He transitioned from classroom teacher to instructional facilitator for one school year and in 2020 he moved to assistant principal of instruction. 

Atkinson earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in education with a concentration in instructional technology from Michigan State University. He also has a certificate in school administration from Gardner-Webb. 

Atkinson lives in Pfafftown with his wife, Hannah, and his two daughters.