About Dr. Phillipps
Scott D. Phillipps, Ed.D., was unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees to become Head of School of Bayside Academy effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Phillipps came to Bayside from Houston Academy in Dothan, Alabama.
Dr. Phillipps has over 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, coach, dean of students, academic dean, athletic director, division head, and head of school. An avid tennis player, he has coached wrestling, cross country, football, and tennis and was twice named Georgia Coach of the Year. Additionally, he is a board member for the Alabama Association of Independent Schools and has served as an accreditation chair for the Southern Association of Independent Schools eight times. As Dr. Phillipps says, “I believe the success of a school, since it is in the business of improving the lives of people, is unquestionably tied to strong relationships, both inside and outside the immediate school community.”
Dr. Phillipps served as Head of School at Houston Academy in Dothan, Alabama, from 2012–2022. Prior to his time at Houston Academy, he was the Upper School Director at the University School in Jackson, Tennessee, from 2008–2012 and was also the Athletic Director from 2009–2011. He taught AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, and World History at The Walker School in Marietta, Georgia, from 1992–2008. While at The Walker School, he also served as the Dean of Students from 2000–2004 and the Academic Dean from 2004–2008. He began his career teaching government, economics, and history at the Brentwood School in Sandersville, Georgia, from 1990–1992.
He earned his Ed.D. in School Improvement from the University of West Georgia, his M.A. in Education from Georgia State University, and his B.A. in Political Science from Miami University. He is a member of Kappa Delta Pi honor society.
Dr. Phillipps and his wife, Shelly, have three children: Brooke, Braden, and David '25.