The Greene County School System is pleased to announce that John Ellenberg, current Principal of Greene County High School and CEO of the Greene College & Career Academy, will be appointed as the district’s first Director of Safety, Facilities, and Community Engagement.
This newly established role reflects the district’s continued commitment to ensuring safe, modern learning environments while strengthening partnerships with families, businesses, and the broader community.
Mr. Ellenberg will continue serving in his current role as principal through the end of the current school year to support a smooth transition and will assume his new district role this summer, following the appointment of a successor.
Mr. Ellenberg has served as Principal of GCHS for the past two years while continuing to lead the GCCA as CEO since 2017.
During this time, the school and academy have continued to build on their progress. In fall 2025, the GCCA was named Georgia’s College & Career Academy of the Year in recognition of its strong programming and partnerships. Also during his tenure, GCHS was recognized as an AP Honor School by the Georgia Department of Education, and the school has continued to expand access to advanced coursework while maintaining a focus on student support and postsecondary readiness.
Since its founding under Mr. Ellenberg’s leadership, the GCCA has grown into a cornerstone of workforce development in Greene County. The academy offers 13 pathways across fine arts, advanced academics, and career, technical, and agricultural education.
Mr. Ellenberg has cultivated strong partnerships with local and regional businesses and organizations, resulting in expanded opportunities for students while ensuring the school system remains closely aligned with the local community's workforce needs. Additionally, the school’s Career Coaching Program, in collaboration with the Thillen Education Foundation, has connected hundreds of community volunteers with students to support their college and career readiness.
“Mr. Ellenberg has demonstrated an exceptional ability to bring people together around a shared vision for student success,” said Superintendent Dr. Aaryn Schmuhl. “His leadership has not only elevated outcomes at the high school and the college and career academy, but has also strengthened the connection between our schools and the community. This new role allows him to expand that impact across the entire district, particularly in the critical areas of safety and facilities, where his experience and leadership will be invaluable.”
In addition to his instructional leadership, Mr. Ellenberg brings extensive experience in facilities planning and development. He played a key role in the 2017–2018 expansion and renovation of Greene County High School to establish the GCCA. He previously served on the steering committee for the construction of the new Newton High School campus while also leading the renovation of the existing facility during his tenure as principal in Newton County. His experience prior to his career in education also includes military service, contributing to his strong commitment to safety and preparedness in school environments.
Mr. Ellenberg expressed both gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity to serve the district in this new capacity: “Serving as Principal of Greene County High School and CEO of the Greene College and Career Academy has been among the greatest honors of my career,” Ellenberg said. “The progress we have made is a direct result of the dedication of our students, staff, families, and community partners. As I step into this new role, I look forward to continuing that work by ensuring our schools are safe, our facilities support excellent teaching and learning, and our community remains deeply connected to the success of every student.”
A native of Greene County and a graduate of Greene County High School, Mr. Ellenberg has dedicated his career to public education.
Prior to his work in Greene County, he served as Principal of Newton High School, where he led improvements in student achievement and college and career readiness outcomes. He began his career as a high school science teacher and coach and has held various leadership roles throughout his career. Mr. Ellenberg holds degrees from Georgia College and State University, Georgia Piedmont College, and the University of West Georgia.
The Greene County School System will share additional information regarding leadership transitions at Greene County High School and the Greene College & Career Academy in the coming weeks.