Preston L. Atwood, Ph.D.

Preston L. Atwood, Ph.D., is the newly appointed Head of School at Westminster Academy in Memphis, Tennessee, effective July 1, 2024. He has a strong background in Classical Christian Education and a notable track record in educational leadership.

Professional Background

Prior to his role at Westminster Academy, Dr. Atwood served as the Headmaster at Regents Academy in Nacogdoches, Texas, from June 2020 to June 2024, and before that, he was Headmaster at Grace Classical Christian Academy in Granbury, Texas. He also has experience mentoring classical Christian education start-ups through the Herzog Foundation.123

Education

Dr. Atwood holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, along with a Master of Arts (MA) in Hebrew Bible and Semitic Studies. He also earned both a Master of Divinity (MDiv) and a Master of Theology (ThM) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Humanities from LR Scarborough College.123

Personal Life

In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, Dr. Atwood is described as a devoted family man, married to Emily, and they have eight children. He is also a musician and enjoys composing music.23

Vision for Westminster Academy

Dr. Atwood is recognized as a strategic thinker and relational leader, committed to the mission of Westminster Academy, which emphasizes a classical and biblically based education. He is expected to focus on building relationships within the school community and ensuring a smooth transition in leadership.23