- Mr. Keith Ball has extensive experience as an educator and administrator in Georgia schools, earning several degrees and awards for his work. - He is currently in his sixth year as principal of Etowah High School, where he has overseen numerous academic, athletic, and facility improvements that have led to state and national recognition for the school. - Under his leadership, Etowah has seen increased graduation rates, test scores, AP enrollment and success, scholarships earned, and state championship titles across various programs.

1. Born and raised in New York, Mr. Keith L. Ball is a principal with a
variety of experiences, excellent training, and an enthusiastic atti-
tude towards life and education. Mr. Ball received his bachelor’s of
arts degree with honors from the State University of New York at
Albany in Secondary Social Studies Education. While an undergradu-
ate at Albany, Mr. Ball lettered in both baseball and football and
received the university’s highest undergraduate honor of Outstanding
Senior for his contributions to the university, academic achievements,
service, and athletic endeavors. Mr. Ball continued his education at
Albany going on to earn his master’s degree with honors in Advanced
Classroom Training in social sciences. While earning his master’s
degree, Mr. Ball worked as an academic advisor for undergraduate
students and was an assistant football coach during the university’s
run towards their first conference title. In 2004, Mr. Ball earned his
educational specialist’s degree with honors in Administration and
Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee.
In 1998, Mr. Ball moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to teach and coach
at the brand new Ridgeview High School in Orange Park. There he
was runner-up for Teacher of the Year; in addition to coaching foot-
ball, girls’ basketball, and track. In 2000, he moved to the Atlanta
area where he worked at Pope High School in Cobb County. While at
Pope, Mr. Ball was nominated for Teacher of the Year, coached base-
ball, and helped guide the Greyhounds to a 5A regional championship
in football. Mr. Ball continued his teaching and coaching career in
Cobb County at Kell High School, serving as the interim department
Caption describing picture or
graphic.
Etowah High School
6565 Putnam Ford Drive
Woodstock, Georgia 30189
770-926-4411
Keith.ball@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Contact Information
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Principal
Graduating life-long learners and productive community
and global citizens.
E t o w a h H i g h S c h o o l
Professional Biography

2. head for social studies, was a finalist for Teacher of the Year, and coached both football and baseball. In 2004
Mr. Ball received Kell High School’s Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award for his character, compassion,
involvement, generosity and staff leadership.
Cherokee High School was his home for three years where he served as the assistant principal in charge of curric-
ulum and student affairs. In addition to his duties as an assistant principal, Mr. Ball also authored and taught a
leadership class. In his first year at CHS, Mr. Ball was recognized by Cherokee High School’s 2005 Valedictorian
to represent CHS at Cherokee County’s Scholars Banquet. In addition, in 2005, he was selected to serve as Cher-
okee County’s Middle School Summer School Administrator at Woodstock Middle School. In 2007, Mr. Ball re-
ceived the Student Leadership Award at Cherokee High School for his contributions to the students of CHS and
the Student Government Association (SGA). While working with both Bill Sebring and Pam Biser, Mr. Ball helped
to significantly increase Cherokee High School’s graduation test scores, end-of-course-tests, and graduation
rate. He was also instrumental in expanding Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings. After two consecutive
years of being placed on the Needs Improvement list for not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), CHS made
(AYP) each of the three years he worked as curriculum supervisor. Mr. Ball was selected and successfully com-
pleted two years of the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy in preparation for the Principalship.
For three years, Mr. Ball served as the Principal of Woodstock Middle School. Woodstock experienced unprece-
dented success during Mr. Ball’s tenure. In 2009, Woodstock earned the GOSA/DOE Platinum Award for greatest
gains in student achievement. Woodstock outperformed all but one middle school in the state and was recog-
nized for their success with a visit by the State Superintendent, Kathy Cox, CCSD Board Members, and Dr.
Petruzielo.
Student attendance in 2008 was the highest in WMS history until 2009, when it was again brought to a new all-
time high of 96.5%. Under Mr. Ball’s leadership, Woodstock successfully integrated their first ever 6th grade
class during the 2009-2010 school year, making WMS a 6th-8th model after serving only 7th and 8th graders since
it’s opening in 1996. Over the course of three years, the WMS staff grew to 100% LFS trained, over 75% Gifted
Certified, 56% enrolled and/or successfully completed the Teach 21 technology endorsement, and over 60% of
the staff having advanced degrees. Mr. Ball credits the staff, parents, and students for all of Woodstock’s suc-
cess.
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Principal
Graduating life-long learners and productive community
and global citizens.
E t o w a h H i g h S c h o o l

3. Mr. Ball goes into his sixth year as Etowah’s Principal with high expectations and a state and national reputation
of excellence to uphold. Etowah was featured in the January 2011 and January 2012 Atlanta Magazine as a “Top
25 High School” in the metro area. For the past five consecutive years (2011, ‘12, ’13, ’14, ’15) Etowah has
been named to The High School Challenge list by the Washington Post, averaging a top 10% ranking national-
ly. Etowah was also named to the Newsweek 2013 Best High Schools in America list and is in the running to earn
that recognition in 2015. Additionally in 2014, for the first time in school history, Etowah earned silver honors
being named to US News & World Report’s list of best schools in the country! Mr. Ball considers these honors by-
products of having the best staff, motivated students, and tremendous parent support and involvement. Mr.
Ball’s creative and comprehensive Operation Graduation initiative and the laser focus on improving the
graduation rate has paid off as Etowah was the only high school in Cherokee County to improve the 2012 4-year
cohort graduation rate. Additionally, the 85.11% graduation rate posted by EHS was well over the state and
nation averages and was the highest in Cherokee County. SAT and ACT scores at Etowah have ranked first or
second in Cherokee County since Mr. Ball became Principal in 2010, which compliments some of the highest
scores on Advanced Placement (AP) exams in the state of Georgia—including being ranked 7th
in the state in
2014.
Under Mr. Ball’s leadership, Etowah High School has administered the most AP exams (over 2,000) of any Chero-
kee County School since 2011. Even though Cherokee County continues to face unprecedented state budget cuts
along with ever increasing mandates from all levels, Mr. Ball firmly believes that Etowah High School can contin-
ue compete at the state and national level in academics, athletics, arts, and service.
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Principal
Graduating life-long learners and productive community
and global citizens.
E t o w a h H i g h S c h o o l

4. To that end, Mr. Ball has aggressively expanded the Advanced Placement (AP) Program to include 21 different
courses—an increase of 8 classes since 2010. Additionally, Mr. Ball created and successfully executed the 4th
annual summer BRIDGE Program to provide rising 9th
graders with academic acceleration facilitated by Etowah
teachers prior to their entry in the fall. Students who have completed the BRIDGE Program have performed
better in their core courses and have stayed on-track to graduate in four years. Another example of Mr. Ball’s
visionary leadership is the unique AP Summer Boot Camp venture only offered at Etowah during the summers of
2013,’14,‘15 to accelerate Etowah’s top students in a variety of Advanced Placement courses. Overall success
at Etowah is evident in the over $20 million in academic scholarships, not including HOPE, that students have
earned over the past five years!
This scholarship success is highlighted by Etowah student-athletes who signed more athletic scholarships than
any other high school in CCSD five years in-a-row. Athletically, Etowah had its first ever back-to-back-to-back
team state championships in weightlifting (2011, ’12, ’13) and the school’s first ever Academic Team State
Championship in 2013 including being ranked in the top 20 nationally. 2014, Etowah’s most successful year in
terms of athletics, saw three teams make it to the State Semi-Finals in boys lacrosse, ladies tennis, and football.
Additionally, the wrestling team competed in the state finals for the first time in school history after winning
back-to-back region championships.
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Principal
Graduating life-long learners and productive community
and global citizens.
E t o w a h H i g h S c h o o l

5. Overall, Etowah’s athletic programs earned its highest state ranking of 8th
in the state Athletic facilities contin-
ue to improve as EHS stakeholders have partnered with Mr. Ball to rebuild the baseball facilities and install one
of the best all-digital score boards (Eagle-Tron) in the state of Georgia! This capital outlay project comes on the
heels of paying off the $1.2 million stadium sprint turf. Additionally, a new stadium lighting system has been
installed replacing the original system from 1976. The improvements to the athletic facilities compliment the
comprehensive campus upgrades that have occurred during Mr. Ball’s tenure including the grounds, the Coffee
Shop/Senior Lounge, painting & numbering of the original buildings, and the new Etowah East @ Chapman com-
plex. This redesigned addition of two buildings will eliminate the need to utilize mobile classrooms and provide
the most advanced technology to all Etowah students including a World Language Lab and Writing Across the
Curriculum Center (W.A.C.C.). Etowah will also be the first high school in Cherokee County to have an on-sight
Robotics lab to support the new course and Robotics Club.
Mr. Ball’s vision for a top-notch school includes students who selflessly and consistently give to others. Service
to others is not just an expectation at Etowah, it is part of the DNA and school’s culture. Over the last five
years Etowah students have completed over 62,000 hours of documented service to their school and community!
Mr. Ball has led the service campaign in working with the Etowah Zone, district, and school PTA officers to raise
funds and play in a charity basketball game. As a result, Etowah earned Kindles to be used by its students and
the local fire houses were given encrypted GPS devices to minimize response times to emergencies. Etowah also
led the charge to earn awareness and money for ALS and the Eagles continue to support Relay for Life donating
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Principal
Graduating life-long learners and productive community
and global citizens.
E t o w a h H i g h S c h o o l

6. over $20,000 to cancer research over the past five years.
Mr. Ball’s ultimate goal is for Etowah to be the most future friendly school in the state by preparing all gradu-
ates to learn, earn, and serve as productive community and global citizens. To that end, Etowah will continue
its aggressive Bring A Learning Device (B.A.L.D) technology initiative. Additionally, many teachers will continue
to “flip” their classrooms using technology to better serve all students. Teaching digitally responsible citizens is
part of Etowah’s larger vision and one that is required of a true 21st
century school.
Mr. Ball looks forward to the challenges the 2015-16 school year will bring—including continuing to lead the
largest campus and highest student enrollment in Cherokee County. Executing Etowah’s mission of graduating
life-long learners and productive community and global citizens through progressive and creative programs will
continue to insure EHS has the highest graduation rate in the district and the school’s state and national reputa-
tion of being a sustainable and innovative leader in public education remains one of the best.
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Principal
Graduating life-long learners and productive community
and global citizens.
E t o w a h H i g h S c h o o l