Adams County Christian School names Chris Young as new administrator

Adams County Christian School has turned to a familiar local name for a job that reaches far beyond the office door. Chris Young was named the school’s new administrator on May 6, a hire that is expected to shape academics, student discipline and the school culture for the roughly 163 to 165 students enrolled in grades K-12 at the West Union campus.

The school said Young most recently served as principal of Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington High School in Ripley, giving him recent experience leading a small-district school in Southern Ohio. Before that, he worked at Manchester High School as assistant principal and athletic director, and his administrative background also includes work as an elementary assistant principal, a special education coordinator and a state and federal programs coordinator. That mix of roles points to a leader who has handled daily school operations, athletics, student services and compliance work, all of which matter in a private school that serves elementary through high school students under one roof.

Adams County Christian School framed the appointment as a continuation of its emphasis on academic excellence, student development and Christian values. The school says it is “grounded in the love of Christ” and works to help each student progress “to the greatest extent of his potential physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually,” a mission that puts the administrator at the center of both academic and faith formation. Randy Bartlett praised Young’s leadership experience, values and passion for Christian education, saying those qualities align with the school’s goals.

Young also has local ties that likely resonated with the school’s board and families. He is married to Maranda Young, owner of Lace and Grace in West Union, which gives the new administrator a direct connection to the community he will serve. Adams County Christian School, established in 1981, sits at 187 Willow Dr. in West Union and is listed by the National Center for Education Statistics as a K-12 private school in Adams County.

The leadership change comes as the school prepares for its next chapter under a familiar face with regional credentials. The Adams County Christian School Board of Directors meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., and those meetings are open to the public, giving parents and supporters a chance to watch how Young’s approach takes shape in the months ahead.