
#57 - National POY - Tracie Anderson Swillie (South Carolina) - Trust the Process
From Proud Principals Podcast with Tony Cattani by Tony Cattani
February 14, 2026 · 58 min · Episode 61
About this episode
Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley discusses her journey as a principal and the significant improvements at Fairfield Central High School.
Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley is the 2025 NASSP National secondary Principal of the Year and 2024 South Carolina Principal of the Year. Dr. Tracie Swilley Assistant Superintendent of Academics in Fairfield County School District in Winnsboro, South Carolina. Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley was the principal of Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, SC. Tracie’s leadership has shaped Fairfield Central into a model of learning. Her approach to cultivating future leaders and fostering a culture of high expectations. Under Dr. Swilley’s 12+ year leadership, Fairfield Central High School has seen remarkable improvements in: math proficiency rates rose from 46% to 74%, and reading proficiency improved from 60% to 76% in the last three years. The school has achieved the highest graduation rate in school history at 90.1% after two years of her leadership. the graduation rate had been around 70 percent. Eighty-one percent of graduates in the class of 2024 were accepted to two or four-year higher education institutions. Last school year, the school received an overall “good” rating Before that,in its first time 37-year history. Contact Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley Website…
People in this episode
Host: Tony Cattani
Guest: Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley
Topics covered
- leadership
- education
- school improvement
- student success
- high expectations
Keywords
- principal of the year
- education leadership
- student achievement
- graduation rates
- math proficiency
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NASSP, Fairfield County School District
Places: Winnsboro, South Carolina, Fairfield Central High School
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