LCS Announces Bryant Black as New Head of School
Lakeland Christian School
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Lakeland Christian School
One of the core values of LCS is the belief that we are partnering with parents in the Christian education of their children. We believe that mutual respect, communication and involvement by all partners is essential for success of our mission.LCS is a school. We believe that being a Christian school and being a top-flight academic institution should not be mutually exclusive. On the contrary, we take the mandate of Colossians 3:23 that calls us to strive to be the best. We provide a variety of rigorous, engaging, academic and co-curricular activities that enable students to identify and express the full range of their unique gifts and abilities.Lakeland, FL – November 14, 2022
The Lakeland Christian School Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Mr. Bryant Black has been appointed as the next Head of School, effective June 1, 2023. Selected from an initial field of more than 140 candidates, Bryant received a unanimous vote from the board. He will succeed Dr. Mike Sligh, who has served at LCS for more than 50 years.
“As a board, we were committed to finding someone who would embrace our mission to educate students in the light of God’s Word,” said LCS Board Chairman Kevin Knowlton. “During the interview process, it was abundantly clear that Bryant’s passion for Christian education and proven educational leadership experience made him the best candidate. He holds an unwavering commitment to the school’s mission, to pursuing academic excellence at every level and to developing our students into individuals who possess strong moral character with a solid foundation for faith and life.”
Bryant currently serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Lakeland Christian School. Prior to LCS, Bryant served as the Upper School Head at Chattanooga Christian School (CCS) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from 2013 to 2019. Bryant began his educational career at CCS in 1995, serving as a history teacher and history department chair, as well as Director of Curriculum and Instruction, before his promotion to Upper School Head.
Bryant attended Vanderbilt University on a four-year Naval ROTC scholarship. He received his B.S. in History in 1990 and went on to serve as a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy during Operation Desert Storm. He received his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Covenant College in 2011. Bryant and his wife, Ashley, have three adult sons.
“Lakeland Christian School has a bright future, and we look forward in confidence in God’s continued provision and presence,” Knowlton said. “We are grateful for Dr. Sligh’s leadership as Head of School for the past 27 years, and we’re excited for the next chapter as Bryant builds upon the strong foundation laid by those before him.”
The search process for the new Head of School was directed by a committee of current and former board members and assisted by CarterBaldwin, a premier executive search firm.
Lakeland Christian School is Polk County’s oldest and largest non-public school. Established in 1954, LCS is an independent, nondenominational Christian school serving more than 1,100 students from preschool through 12th grade. LCS is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian School International and the Florida Council of Independent Schools. Its mission is to educate students in the light of God’s Word to equip them for a lifetime of learning, leadership, service and worship. LCS offers a challenging academic program, championship athletics and award-winning fine arts.
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