Lakeland Prep Names Blake Waddell High School Principal-Elect Ahead of Leadership Transition

Lakeland School System has announced that current vice principal Blake Waddell has been selected as the high school principal-elect of Lakeland Preparatory School (LPS). The leadership move comes as the school prepares for a structural shift that will officially divide LPS into two distinct schools—a middle school (grades 5–8) and a high school (grades 9–12)—effective July 1 of this year.

Although both schools will continue operating under one roof, each will move forward with its own dedicated administrative leadership. Current LPS principal Corrie Martin will continue overseeing both middle and high school grades until July 1. At that time, she will transition into her new role as principal of the Lakeland Preparatory Middle School.

To support continuity and ensure a smooth transition, Waddell will serve as high school principal-elect for the remainder of the 2025–26 school year while maintaining his duties as vice principal. During this period, he will train directly under Martin before officially stepping into the high school principal role this summer.

A native of Chattanooga, Waddell brings more than two decades of educational experience to the position. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Rhodes College, along with M.A.Ed. and Ed.S. degrees from Union University. Before joining LPS in 2024, he spent twenty years at Germantown High School, where he served as vice principal, assistant principal, athletic director, and teacher across all academic levels. His background also includes coaching football and baseball.

Waddell expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to lead the high school as it enters its next phase. “LPS has quickly become home for me and I could not be more excited to lead the high school,” said Waddell. “I am extremely blessed to serve this community and have the opportunity to help our students excel in all facets of their high school experience and beyond.”

Principal Corrie Martin praised Waddell’s depth of experience and leadership capabilities.
“Mr. Waddell is an administrator with an incredible depth of knowledge in all aspects of high school,” Martin said. “With his previous experience as a teacher, coach, and administrator, he will do well in leading our high school. I am personally excited for the future of both schools as we continue to provide an outstanding educational environment for the students of Lakeland.”

Lakeland School System Superintendent Dr. Ted Horrell highlighted Waddell’s experience and familiarity with the school as central to the decision. “Mr. Waddell brings the experience, continuity, and vision that will allow Lakeland Prep’s high school to build on the tremendous successes we’ve seen already in academics, athletics, and the arts,” said Dr. Horrell. “We’re so fortunate to have had the ideal candidate serving as our vice principal which we believe will make the transition to a separate school administration nearly seamless.”

The transition marks a significant milestone for Lakeland Preparatory School, positioning both the middle and high school programs for continued growth as they move into independent administrative structures later this year.

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