1. Etowah High School
Graduating life-long learners and productive community
and global citizens.
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Principal
P r o f e s s i on a l B i og ra p h y
B orn and raised in New York, Mr. Keith L. Ball is a principal with a
variety of experiences, excellent training, and an enthusiastic
attitude 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 Caption describing picture or
Senior for his contributions to the university, academic achievements, graphic.
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. Contact Information
In 1998, Mr. Ball moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to teach and coach
at the brand new Ridgeview High School in Orange Park. There he Etowah High School
was runner-up for Teacher of the Year; in addition to coaching foot-
6565 Putnam Ford Drive
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 Woodstock, Georgia 30189
Pope, Mr. Ball was nominated for Teacher of the Year, coached base-
ball, and helped guide the Greyhounds to a 5A regional championship 770-926-4411
in football. Mr. Ball continued his teaching and coaching career in
Keith.ball@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Cobb County at Kell High School, serving as the interim department

2. Etowah High School
Graduating life-long learners and productive community
and global citizens.
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Principal
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.

3. Etowah High School
Graduating life-long learners and productive community
and global citizens.
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Principal
Mr. Ball goes into his third year as Etowah’s Principal with high expectations and a state and national reputation
of excellence to uphold. Etowah was named a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Depart-
ment of Education along with earning a 2010 Gold Award and 2011 Silver Award from the Governor’s Office of
Student Achievement. Etowah was featured in the January 2011 and January 2012 Atlanta Magazine as a top 25
high school in the metro area. In 2012 Etowah was named to The High School Challenge list by the Washington
Post with a ranking of 103 nationally. SAT and ACT scores at Etowah were the highest in Cherokee County in
2011. Scores on Advanced Placement (AP) examines in 2011 were the highest in Cherokee County with each
subject averaging a “3” or higher on all examines. Even though Cherokee County continues to face unprece-
dented budget cuts along with ever increasing mandates at both the state and federal levels, Mr. Ball firmly
believes that Etowah High School can compete at the state and national level in academics, athletics, arts, and
service every year. To that end, Mr. Ball has aggressively expanded the Advanced Placement Program (AP) in
2011 and 2012 to include 18 different courses; an increase of 6 classes since 2010. Additionally, Mr. Ball created
the summer BRIDGE Program to provide rising 9th graders with an academic acceleration program facilitated by
Etowah teachers prior to their entry in the fall.
Etowah made history this past year in celebrating its 35th Anniversary with an alumni night and dedication of the
original gymnasium to Etowah’s first Principal, Mr. Ormand Anderson. Etowah was also proud to honor the 10th
anniversary of the 9.11.2001 attacks with a dignified ceremony and memorial ground breaking. Athletically in
2011 and 2012, Etowah had its first ever back-to-back team state championships in weightlifting in school history
and the boy’s lacrosse team made it to the state final four.
Mr. Ball’s vision for Etowah is to be the most future friendly school in the state by preparing all graduates to
learn, earn, and serve as productive community and global citizens. Mr. Ball looks forward to the challenges the
2012-13 school year will bring and is excited to share in all of the great accomplishments Etowah will achieve.