SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Names Drew Ward Executive Director, Announces Cindy Brigman as Principal of Seacoast Collegiate High School

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. – October 8, 2026 – The SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Drew Ward as Executive Director of SEASIDE SCHOOL™, formally naming the longtime school leader to the organization’s top leadership position after he served as Interim Executive Director since March 2026. The school also announced Cindy Brigman as Principal of Seacoast Collegiate High School, strengthening a leadership team focused on advancing academic excellence, expanding opportunities for students and guiding SEASIDE SCHOOL™ into its next chapter.

Ward’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for SEASIDE SCHOOL™ as the organization celebrates 30 years of educating students in Walton County while continuing its legacy as one of Florida’s top-performing public charter schools.

“Drew has demonstrated that he understands not only what makes SEASIDE SCHOOL™ successful, but what it will take to move our organization forward,” said Andrew Jordan, Chair of the SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Board of Directors. “Throughout his time with our schools and particularly during his service as Interim Executive Director, he has led with a deep commitment to our students, our educators and the community we serve. The Board has tremendous confidence in Drew’s ability to build upon the legacy of SEASIDE SCHOOL™ while leading us thoughtfully and strategically into the future.”

Since joining SEASIDE SCHOOL™ in 2018, Ward has held several leadership positions, including Dean of Students, Athletic Director, Principal of Seacoast Collegiate High School and Interim Executive Director. During his tenure as Principal, he helped guide Seacoast through significant growth while strengthening academic programs and expanding college and career readiness opportunities. His leadership has helped advance pathways connecting students with college coursework, workforce-aligned programs and meaningful postsecondary opportunities.

Ward holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Oklahoma State University, a Master of Business Administration in Athletic Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida. His approach to leadership is rooted in service, strong relationships and a commitment to building trust, with a focus on preparing students to become leaders who contribute meaningfully to their communities.

“SEASIDE SCHOOL™ is an extraordinary place because of the people who have believed in its mission for three decades — our students, educators, families, alumni, board members and community partners,” said Drew Ward, Executive Director of SEASIDE SCHOOL™. “I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to lead this organization. We have accomplished a great deal, but our focus is firmly on what comes next: continuing to raise the bar academically, creating even more meaningful opportunities for our students and ensuring that SEASIDE SCHOOL™ continues to be a place where students are challenged to discover what they are capable of achieving.”

Building on a Record of Excellence

Ward assumes the permanent role as Executive Director during one of the strongest periods in the school’s history. For 25 consecutive years, SEASIDE SCHOOL™ has earned Florida’s highest school grade, reflecting a longstanding record of academic achievement and a culture of high expectations for students.

The Class of 2026 continued that record of success with a 100% graduation rate, while 83% of graduates earned an Associate in Arts degree alongside their high school diploma, 81% graduated with Honors and 80% earned industry certifications.

Those outcomes reflect an educational model designed to prepare students not simply for graduation, but for what comes after it.

Through Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast Collegiate High School, SEASIDE SCHOOL™ provides students with a rigorous educational experience that combines academic achievement with leadership, innovation, career preparation and opportunities to earn college credentials before graduating from high school.

Cindy Brigman Named Principal of Seacoast Collegiate High School

With Ward transitioning fully into his role as Executive Director, Cindy Brigman has been named Principal of Seacoast Collegiate High School, establishing dedicated leadership for the campus as it continues to expand its academic programs and opportunities for students.

Brigman brings more than two decades of experience in education, with a background spanning school leadership, student services, counseling, school safety and community engagement. Throughout her career, she has served students and schools at the elementary, middle, high school and district levels, developing a comprehensive understanding of student needs, educator support and the importance of strong school-community relationships.

Since joining Seacoast Collegiate High School as Assistant Principal for the 2025–2026 school year, Brigman has continued her commitment to fostering a school culture where students feel known, teachers feel supported and families feel connected. A visible, hands-on leader, she prioritizes academic achievement, meaningful student opportunities and collaboration among educators, families and community partners. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in a simple but powerful commitment: “Every Student. Every Teacher. Every Day.”

“Seacoast is a school where students are given the opportunity to see just how far their curiosity, hard work and ambition can take them,” said Cindy Brigman, Principal of Seacoast Collegiate High School. “I am excited to continue working alongside our exceptional faculty and staff to build an environment where students are known, challenged and supported. We have an incredible foundation, and I look forward to expanding the opportunities that prepare our students for college, careers and whatever path they choose next.”

Brigman will lead Seacoast as the school continues to expand opportunities available to its students, including advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career-focused learning experiences in areas such as artificial intelligence, engineering and rocketry. Through its partnership with Northwest Florida State College, Seacoast students can pursue college-level coursework while completing their high school education, creating pathways that can significantly accelerate their postsecondary journeys.

Leading the Next Chapter of SEASIDE SCHOOL™

The leadership appointments come as SEASIDE SCHOOL™ celebrates its 30th anniversary and looks toward the next generation of the organization’s impact.

What began in 1996 as a small public charter school created by local families has grown into an educational organization serving students through Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast Collegiate High School. Throughout that growth, the school’s mission has remained rooted in providing students with an academically rigorous education, meaningful opportunities and a strong connection to the community around them.

Under Ward’s leadership, SEASIDE SCHOOL™ will continue building upon that foundation while preparing the organization for its next era — strengthening the student experience, supporting and developing exceptional educators, expanding innovative academic and career pathways, deepening community partnerships and ensuring the school remains positioned to serve future generations of students.

“This is an exciting moment for SEASIDE SCHOOL™ because we are able to celebrate an extraordinary legacy while also looking confidently toward the future,” Jordan said. “Drew and Cindy both understand the culture of these schools, they know our students and families, and they recognize that our success creates an obligation to keep pushing forward. We are excited to see where their leadership takes SEASIDE SCHOOL™ next.”

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About THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™
Founded in 1996, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful public charter schools, serving students in grades 5-12 through SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™ and Seacoast Collegiate High School with a mission to prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond through a responsive, challenging, and equitable education model tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults. Recognized as a top-performing school in Florida, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ has been an “A” school for 21+ consecutive years, ranking in the top 1% of public schools statewide in math and science. Students at THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ benefit from a tuition-free education valued at over $275,000, complete with up to 60 college credits, robust extracurricular opportunities, and a mission-driven focus on leadership, community service, and personal growth. For more information, visit SeasideSchools.net. 

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