On January 12, 2018, the Oak Mountain Academy Board of Trustees announced the appointment
of Mr. Patrick J. Yuran as OMA’s next Head of School. The national search culminated with a
unanimous recommendation of the Head Search Committee along with unanimous vote of the
Board of Trustees to appoint Mr. Yuran whose leadership will begin July 15, 2018Mr. Yuran will succeed Mrs. Paula Gillispie, who announced in June
2017 that she will conclude her tenure at Oak Mountain Academy
in June 2018, concluding forty-five years in education. Upon
retirement, Mrs. Gillispie will have served eight years with
distinction and extraordinary service to OMA and the surrounding
community. A life-time educator, Mrs. Gillispie taught in public
schools for twenty-five years beginning her independent school
journey in Virginia in 1998. During Mrs. Gillispie’s headship, Oak
Mountain Academy has grown by more than 26% in enrollment.Enhanced campus safety measures have been put into place, and a
new-found excitement has been felt by faculty and administration
as the college-preparatory experience in all grades has become
even stronger. She recently led in the re-accreditation process which earned Oak Mountain
Academy a five-year approved re-accreditation status through SAIS and AdvancED/SACS. Mrs.
Gillispie will leave OMA with Mountain View 2022, a recently implemented strategic plan of
excellence, in place for the OMA community to look towards future growth.
“I am looking forward to Patrick joining the OMA family” says Karen Middlebrooks, member of the
OMA Board of Trustee and Chair of the Head Search Committee. “He was an immediate stand out
for the entire search committee with his passion for education and contagious out-going
personality. He truly lights up when discussing his students and contributing to the development
of the entire student. I believe Patrick is the one to build on Mrs. Gillispie’s legacy and continue
the academic excellence of Oak Mountain Academy.”
Mr. Yuran will assume leadership at the beginning of the school’s 56th year. He brings more than
20 years of education experience to Oak Mountain Academy. He is currently Head of School at
Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School in Athens, Georgia, where he has been part of the
leadership team since 2011. At Monsignor Donovan, his leadership has touched all areas of the
school including board governance, fundraising, special events, human resource management,
operations, and building community programs. His leadership has inspired the launch of five new
sports programs, the design and implementation of a dual enrollment and home school program,
and an enrollment increase of 65%. Mr. Yuran states, “My overall goal as an educator is to instill a
desire to learn, a passion for new endeavors, and an unshakable self-confidence in students.
Having these skills will provide endless opportunities for them to realize their dreams and become
successful, productive members of society. Through an engaging, relationship-based environment
[at Oak Mountain Academy], I hope to provide the time, space, knowledge, skills, and tools
necessary for all students to realize their dreams and become successful and prosperous.” In
addition, Mr. Yuran has taught various Performing Arts courses and has extensive experience in
acting, costume design, set design, and theater production.
Founded in 1962, Oak Mountain Academy now has more than 200 students enrolled in Pre-K3
through 12th grades. Oak Mountain Academy is an innovative school of academic excellence
where students receive a personalized, faith-based, college-preparatory education on a vibrant
campus that offers dynamic opportunities, empowering them to become leaders committed to
living lives of service and integrity.
For more information, contact Katie Kilgore at 770.834.6651 or katiekilgore@oakmountain.us
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