James Reed III, the former principal of the Renaissance School
of Humanities and International Studies in Cleveland Heights High School, has
been named interim principal of Shaker Heights High School. He will start mid-July. Reed retired from his former position at the end of the
school year after 27 years in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school district.
Reed will serve in the capacity of interim principal throughout the 2015-16 school year while the District undertakes a national search for a permanent High School principal. Michael Griffith resigned as High School principal in June after serving the District for 15 years.
Reed taught social studies at Wiley Middle School for 11 years before moving to Cleveland Heights High School in 1999, where he served as a unit principal. He also coached the varsity baseball team for five years.
In 2003, Reed helped design the high school's small-school program, which reorganized students into smaller groups, each with a different academic focus. Reed was founding principal of the Renaissance School, serving students interested in the study of world affairs, languages and cultures. The Renaissance School’s instructional model is based on the International Studies Schools Network (ISSN).
Reed holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and political science from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in education and administration from Cleveland State University.
Reed is a lifelong Shaker resident and graduate of Shaker Heights High School. His four children are also Shaker graduates.
“I am very pleased that Mr. Reed has chosen to bring his talents as an administrator to Shaker Heights High School as our interim principal,” said Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr., superintendent of schools. “I know that his deep roots in our community, and as his ability to work with students and families of all backgrounds, will allow him to transition into this role very quickly and effectively.”