Slidell Junior High School Principal Brennan McCurley has been named principal of the new high school set to open next August near Mandeville, the St. Tammany Parish School Board announced Thursday.

McCurley will assume the role in January to help get the school up and running and ready for students, something he said is a challenge in itself.

“Just making sure we have everything we need, that everything works the way it’s supposed to, those things can take a lot of time and energy,” said McCurley. “Obviously we have a great School Board, so I’m looking forward to working with them to get this school off the ground.”

Brennan McCurley

Located on Louisiana Highway 1088 just north of Interstate 12, the new school is still unnamed, although parents and students will soon choose a name, mascot and school colors. McCurley said he hopes to begin meeting with those students as soon as possible.

“I want to meet with the kids who will be going there, to get them excited about being a part of this new endeavor,” he said.

Born and raised in Slidell, McCurley is a graduate of Salmen High School and holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. He began teaching social studies in 1997 at Northshore High School, where he also served as coach for the girls’ softball and volleyball teams.

In October 2003 he became assistant principal at Covington High School, then he returned to Northshore as assistant principal in June 2004. He was appointed principal at Slidell Junior High in February 2005.

His successor there has not yet been named, and McCurley praised the school’s faculty and staff, saying he will do everything he can to help with the transition. He has more than one reason for doing so.

“My daughter will enter SJHS next fall,” he said, “so I have a vested interest in making sure they continue to succeed.”