News Summary
Beverly Hills Unified School District announced that Principal Drew Stewart will leave Beverly Hills High School at the end of the academic year. He has accepted a position as a middle school principal elsewhere, hoping to reduce his commute and prioritize family life. Stewart, who has served in various leadership roles since joining BHHS as a teacher in 2017, has made significant contributions, including wins for the school’s counseling team and ongoing academic improvements. BHUSD is now in search of a successor to continue the school’s initiatives.
Beverly Hills, CA – Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) has announced that Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) Principal Drew Stewart will be leaving his position at the end of the current academic year. Stewart has accepted a new role as a middle school principal in the Lawndale Elementary School District, marking a transition that he hopes will enhance his family life by significantly reducing his daily commute.
The district expressed gratitude for Stewart’s years of service and his commitment to the educational community and student development during his tenure. The decision to leave was described by Stewart as challenging, yet necessary to prioritize his family commitments. He has been a significant figure in BHHS since his start as a history, government, and economics teacher in the fall of 2017.
Stewart quickly advanced in his career, being promoted to interim assistant principal after only one semester of teaching, and subsequently becoming co-principal in 2022. For the past two years, he has served as the sole principal of BHHS. Under his leadership, notable achievements were accomplished, including the establishment of professional learning communities for teacher collaboration within the district.
BHHS’s counseling team received the Recognized ASCA Model Program designation during his administration, a prestigious accolade held by only 17 other high schools in California. The school also achieved six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, reflecting its academic standards and commitment to student success.
Stewart described his time at BHHS as an incredible experience, filled with opportunities to foster meaningful relationships and address crucial school culture and student needs. However, his tenure was not without challenges. Significant issues emerged following the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election, including a pro-Trump student demonstration that created controversies within the school community.
To mitigate disruptions from politically charged assemblies, BHHS implemented new limitations on student gatherings. Additionally, the district faced legal challenges with a lawsuit filed by current and former teachers alleging racial discrimination, which Stewart acknowledged and worked to address since the election period. Leadership changes further complicated the landscape, including the resignation of former Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy. Despite these challenges, Stewart clarified that his decision to depart was not motivated by these administrative shifts but rather his personal circumstances.
Looking toward the future, Stewart expressed that he would miss the enduring relationships he built within the BHUSD community and the unique support that the district offered. He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships and focusing on academic improvement for the next principal of BHHS.
Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss affirmed BHUSD’s commitment to selecting a successor who will prioritize raising academic outcomes and supporting student success. The search for Stewart’s replacement will seek a leader capable of continuing the initiatives he established and fostering an environment conducive to academic and personal growth among students.
As the end of the school year approaches, both the BHUSD and the BHHS community reflect on Stewart’s contributions, looking ahead to new leadership that will build upon the foundation he helped create.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Press: BHHS Principal Plans Departure
- Google Search: Beverly Hills High School Principal Drew Stewart
- Beverly Hills Courier: Principal Drew Stewart Leaving BHHS
- Wikipedia: Education in California
- ABC7: Beverly Hills High Limits Students’ Ability to Assemble
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHHS Senior to Attend Columbia University
- Google News: Beverly Hills High School
