Andrea Russell is the new principal of Stanly County Virtual Education and the Stanly Academy Learning Center. Photo courtesy Stanly County Schools

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ALBEMARLE — Two unique local school options — Stanly County Virtual Education (SCoVE) and the Stanly Academy Learning Center (SALC) — will share a new principal for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year.

Stanly County Schools announced on Wednesday that Andrea Russell will take over the schools’ dual leadership role previously held by Karen Nixon.

“Stanly County Schools is pleased to announce that Dr. Andrea Russell has been named the new principal of Stanly County Virtual Education and the Stanly Academy Learning Center,” the county public school district said in a statement. “Please join us in congratulating Dr. Russell on her new role as she continues to lead and inspire students in innovative and impactful ways.”

Russell has two decades of education experience within Stanly County Schools, beginning as a teacher at South Stanly High School and later serving as an assistant principal at multiple middle and high schools across the district.

She has most recently been the principal at North Stanly High School for the past three years.

“I am looking forward to building new learning partnerships with our SCoVE and SALC students,” Russell said.

Licensed as a high school teacher, principal and superintendent — and certified as an Advancement Via Individual Determination site coordinator — she holds a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive science secondary education from Pfeiffer University, as well as a master’s degree in school administration and a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Carolina University.

At SCoVE, Russell will lead Stanly County Schools’ public virtual program for kindergarten through 12th grade students located on the SALC campus at 1121 Austin St. in Albemarle. The school is designed to offer a mix of live and pre-recorded learning for families seeking flexible schedules, homeschool support or enrichment options.

SALC is an alternative public high school serving students in grades 8 through 12 who may be off track or struggling in traditional schools; it prioritizes a structured, small‑classroom setting that emphasizes credit recovery, behavior and life-skills development, and pathways back to traditional schools.

Additional information about these two schools is available online at scove.stanlycountyschools.org and salc.stanlycountyschools.org.