South High School principal Dr. Shawn Batterberry today announced his resignation from Denver Public Schools in order to evaluate several challenging job opportunities.

"I have been fortunate to have a great staff, hard-working students, and a terrific community. I am very proud of all the accomplishments at South," said Dr. Batterberry. "We have a talented staff coming back next year and this is a good time to leave, when things are moving in a positive direction. I have been provided with some exciting opportunities and, quite simply, it is time to consider new challenges."

In 2001, the Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals named Dr. Batterberry the High School Principal of the Year.

Over the course of eight years at the helm of South High School, Dr. Batterberry has overseen the expansion of the school's academic offerings, including the addition of such special programs as the Academies of Travel and Tourism, Finance, and the newly created Intel Academy for engineering students. The school's enrollment has jumped by 500 students over the past five years and test scores have climbed, too.

Since Dr. Batterberry began at South, scores on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills have risen from the 49th percentile to the 68th percentile. (CSAP scores at the high school level began just last year.) The school serves as a magnet for students learning the English language and brings together students from over 60 countries who speak 45 languages.

"Dr. Batterberry is one of the most energetic and innovative principals in the district," said Superintendent Jerry Wartgow. "He has built a strong team at the school, demonstrated significant progress with student achievement, and developed an excellent reputation in the community," said Superintendent Wartgow. "In addition, he is our most veteran principal and his experience and leadership will be missed."

Superintendent Wartgow thanked Dr. Batterberry for providing ample notice of his departure and said an interim principal would be named soon.

Dr. Batterberry will be retained as a consultant, Superintendent Wartgow added, to assist with the necessary transition. Dr. Batterberry's official last day with South High School will be June 30.