April 19, 2024
ALBERTVILLE – Albertville High School alumnus and current assistant principal Tyler Reeves has been named the principal of the Albertville Innovation Academy.
The Albertville Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday night for Reeves to become the school’s first principal. The school will open in August.
“We are thrilled to announce Tyler Reeves as the inaugural principal of the Albertville Innovation Academy,” said Albertville Superintendent Dr. Bart Reeves. “Tyler’s dedication to education and his deep understanding of our community’s needs make him the perfect fit to lead this innovative initiative.”
Reeves is wrapping up his tenth year as an administrator at Albertville High School. Prior to becoming an assistant principal in 2016, he was the administrator of the former ACS Freshman Academy. He also served as the athletic director from 2016-2021.
Reeves has worked in education for 21 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Shorter University and his master’s and educational specialists degrees from the University of Alabama in educational leadership. Prior to entering administration, he taught social studies while coaching baseball and football at McIntosh County Academy in Darien, Ga., Oak Mountain High School, Albertville Middle School and Albertville High School.
He and his wife, Gina, who is a second grade teacher at Albertville Primary School, reside in Albertville. They have two children, Braxton, 11, and Anna Reece, 7.
“I am honored and excited to serve as the principal of the Albertville Innovation Academy,” said Reeves. As an alumnus of Albertville High School, I am deeply committed to the success of our students and the continued growth of our community. I look forward to working with our dedicated faculty and staff to provide an innovative learning environment where every student can thrive academically and professionally.”
The Albertville Innovation Academy is a public school within the Albertville City School system that is focused on achieving the highest level of student success in an innovative environment that promotes academic excellence and applied career focus through unique partnerships with higher education, government and industry.
“Tyler Reeves’ appointment as principal of the Albertville Innovation Academy marks an exciting milestone for career and technical education in our district. His experience and passion for preparing students for real-world success will ensure that AIA provides cutting-edge opportunities for our students to excel in their chosen pathways,” said Assistant Superintendent Todd Watkins, who also oversees CTE for the district.
Student learning will be centered around core academic studies and their passion for discovery inside a career academy that applies learned academic and technical skills to real-world projects as part of a team working with industry partners, higher education staff and Albertville City Schools faculty.
Students at AIA will have a career-focused curriculum that includes comprehensive core academic instruction. Students will have highly qualified career tech and academic teachers and access to a brand new facility and equipment. The facility is expected to be complete by the end of May.
AIA offers 14 pathways: Additive Manufacturing, AggieVision: Advertising Design, AggieVision: Television Production, Agriscience: Animal Science, Agriscience: Building and Construction, Agriscience: Plant Science, Cybersecurity, Health Science: Emergency Medicine, Health Science: Patient Care, Health Science: Sports Medicine, Precision Machining, Teaching and Training, Welding and Work-Based Learning.
AIA students will also earn industry certifications and have opportunities to participate in dual enrollment for both core academic and CTE courses. Students will still be able to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, bands, student leadership organizations, etc. They will also be able to run school-based enterprises and work in local businesses.
AIA is accredited and will follow the same requirements set by the Alabama State Department of Education for graduation. Graduating from AIA will be a distinct achievement, and the diploma awarded will reflect this accomplishment of completing a specialized program in addition to core academic requirements. Graduation for AIA will take place alongside Albertville High School students in a joint ceremony.
Students interested in attending AIA should complete the application for admission available on www.albertk12.org. The deadline to submit completed applications is April 30.
School leaders will host an informational night on Thursday, April 25, at 5 p.m. in the Albertville Fine Arts Center. Families can meet Mr. Reeves, faculty and staff, hear updated information regarding student schedules and classes and hear from Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore. Dr. Whitmore will share the opportunities available to students at AIA.
Tyler Reeves, center, has been named the principal of the Albertville Innovation Academy. He is pictured with Assistant Superintendent Todd Watkins, left, and Superintendent Dr. Bart Reeves, right.
