Justin Arms named GRC principal

Justin Arms

Clark County Public Schools is pleased to welcome Justin Arms as the new principal of George Rogers Clark High School. He will officially assume the role on July 1.

"I'm humbled and beyond grateful for the opportunity to be named the next principal of George Rogers Clark High School,” said Mr. Arms. “I look forward to meeting the students, staff, and community in the coming weeks.”

Principal of Johnson Central High School from 2021-2024 and most recently serving as Assistant Maintenance and Transportation Director at Johnson County Schools, Mr. Arms comes with impressive accolades in the areas of academics and culture.

Johnson Central went from the bottom 25 percent of high schools in Kentucky on state accountability assessments when Mr. Arms was hired to 7th overall at the end of his third year at the helm.

The school made an incredible progression from 165th to 60th after his first year, 25th after year 2, and  7th after year 3, taking the school to a blue ranking. In 2024, Johnson Central became Kentucky’s first school to be named a GRAD Partnership Spotlight School by the Carnegie Foundation.

Equally notable, Johnson Central ranked 2nd of all Kentucky high schools in the climate and culture survey after Mr. Arms’ third year.

A 2003 graduate of Paintsville High School, Mr. Arms began teaching math at Johnson Central after graduating from Pikeville College in 2008. He helped found the Engineering Department at JCHS in 2012, teaching Principles of Engineering and Civil Engineering & Architecture.

Mr. Arms began his career in administration in January of 2016 as Assistant Principal and coordinator of BARR, a nationally acclaimed freshman transition program that GRC has also implemented. Six years later, Johnson Central was named a BARR National School of Excellence.

The extra-curricular leadership distinctions Mr. Arms has to his credit reflects a versatile skill set. He was part of two state football championships as an assistant football coach for 14 seasons, and accumulated five region titles and two Elite Eight appearances as assistant baseball coach for 13 years. His sponsorship of the school’s SkillsUSA group resulted in multiple state championships and national qualifiers.

“I truly believe that GRC is a special place as it has tremendous support and the very best facilities in the state of Kentucky,” Mr. Arms said. “I know that when we all work together toward a common goal, uncommon things happen.  I look forward to working with each of you and know that TOGETHER, we will help GRC soar to heights never before seen.  GO CARDS!"