Apopka High School Feature: Matt Arnold
Matt Arnold is a true renaissance man.
At Auburndale High School, he played the saxophone and clarinet at an all-state level and received a music scholarship to Southeastern University in Lakeland.
As Activities Director at Winter Park High School, he coordinated 67 athletic teams, 56 student groups, and the Performing Arts Department.
Matt Arnold, Apopka High School's new principal, begins on July 1st.
And for the past six years he was Principal of Southwest Middle School in Orlando that has 1,372 students and 127 faculty and staff.
Arnold will bring this diverse experience to his new role as Principal of Apopka High School.
Christine Moore is certainly impressed.
“Apopka parents are in good hands,” said Moore, the District 7 Orange County Public School Board Member representing Apopka. “He has a solid background in academics, arts and athletics.”
The Board confirmed Arnold last night, and he is scheduled to take over at AHS on July 1st.
As expected, Arnold is excited to get started.
“I’m really pumped. I’m excited to be a Blue Darter. There is a great tradition, pride and community support associated with Apopka High School. To some degree the city revolves around the high school. Any administrator would love to work here.”
After college, Arnold began his career as a teacher at Gateway, Poinciana and Merritt Island High Schools from 1993-1998 before starting at Winter Park High School as Activities Director. During that tenure WPHS was recognized as the #1 Athletic Program in Class 6A by FHSAA and FACA.
From 2004-2010 he was Assistant Principal at The Silver Star Center, Evans and University High Schools before beginning his first assignment as principal at Southwest. During his time at Southwest, he was named the Orange County PTSA Outstanding Principal of the Year in 2012 and 2016.
Arnold replaces Doug Guthrie, who was principal at AHS for the past six years. Guthrie is leaving Apopka High School to become principal at a Windermere-area high school that has yet to be named. It will serve as a relief school to West Orange High School.