SF’s Academy of Science and Technology Names Principal, Curriculum Coordinator

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Santa Fe College’s Academy of Science and Technology, SF’s high school that will be opening to 9^th graders in Alachua County in the fall of 2023, recently named Bill McElroy as its first principal and Adrian DeBose as Curriculum Coordinator. McElroy comes to SF with more than two decades of experience in secondary school administration, including 11 years serving as principal. DeBose has been an employee at SF dating back to 2019. 

“I am excited to have Bill and Adrian on our team in leadership positions,” SF’s Executive Director of Secondary Programs, Dr. Jen Homard, said. “Bill has extensive leadership experience as a high school principal and knows what it takes to run a successful institution. Adrian will be able to provide our Academy students with the level of support needed for them to grow, and his knowledge of the SF culture will help our students transition from high school to college-level coursework.” 

Before being selected as the Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology’s first principal, McElroy served as principal of the Professional Academies Magnet at Loften High School for eight years. Under his leadership, the school achieved an A rating from the state, introduced Advanced Placement courses to the curriculum, and opened two CTE Academies – the Academy of Robotics and Engineering and the Institute of Graphic Arts and Design. In 2019, McElroy was selected as one of the top three principals in the state by Florida Tax Watch. 

DeBose served as an Advising Specialist at Santa Fe College for three years before accepting the position of Curriculum Coordinator. He also has an extensive educational career as a ninth-grade science instructor at Eastside High School and has served as a Pre-Collegiate sponsor of students since 2013.  

The Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology will open to 75 incoming ninth-grade students from Alachua County next fall. Students will begin with a standard high school course load before moving into college-level courses by their sophomore year. Students will select one of four college-level tracks, with two tracks in health sciences and two tracks in information technology. Students who graduate from the Academy will have the opportunity to earn their high school diploma, an Associate in Science degree, and at least two industry certifications. Students will also be able to attend the school at no cost to themselves or their families, eliminating a potential barrier to economic mobility. 

The Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology will hold an information session for parents on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 7-8 p.m. in Building R, Room 001 on the college’s Northwest Campus. Academy staff will be on hand, as will program advisors providing information about the opportunities available through the school. Applications for admission to the Academy will be available by the end of the year.