About
Head of School
Welcome to Bayside!
For the past half century, Bayside Academy has served as the premier independent school on the Eastern Shore. Today, Bayside stands as one of the most highly regarded schools, not only in the state of Alabama, but in the Southeastern United States, as a whole.
Our motto, “Excellent by tradition; innovative by design,” truly captures the spirit of Bayside. We enthusiastically embrace our history and traditions that have made us strong. At the same time, we recognize that our students face a world of challenges that could not be imagined a half century ago when our school was founded. In this increasingly complex world, we recognize that we must constantly evolve as a school of excellence in order to prepare our students for college and for life.
Of course, the Bayside experience is much more than than a strong curriculum, a dedicated faculty, and academic rigor. We are a close-knit community which supports and loves each other. This gives our students the space to move outside their comfort zone and explore intellectual, athletic, and artistic pursuits that they might not otherwise pursue.
I encourage you to peruse our website and explore our programs and offerings. However, if you are new to Bayside we would love for you to come visit our beautiful campus, directly on the shore of the Mobile Bay. If you are a graduate of Bayside, we’d love to have you back on campus to show you how we have grown. There’s never been a better time to be an Admiral!
Dr. Scott D. Phillipps
Head of School
Bayside Academy
About Dr. Phillipps
Scott D. Phillipps, Ed.D., was unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees to become Head of School of Bayside Academy effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Phillipps came to Bayside from Houston Academy in Dothan, Alabama.
Dr. Phillipps has over 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, coach, dean of students, academic dean, athletic director, division head, and head of school. An avid tennis player, he has coached wrestling, cross country, football, and tennis and was twice named Georgia Coach of the Year. Additionally, he is a board member for the Alabama Association of Independent Schools and has served as an accreditation chair for the Southern Association of Independent Schools eight times. As Dr. Phillipps says, “I believe the success of a school, since it is in the business of improving the lives of people, is unquestionably tied to strong relationships, both inside and outside the immediate school community.”
Dr. Phillipps served as Head of School at Houston Academy in Dothan, Alabama, from 2012–2022. Prior to his time at Houston Academy, he was the Upper School Director at the University School in Jackson, Tennessee, from 2008–2012 and was also the Athletic Director from 2009–2011. He taught AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, and World History at The Walker School in Marietta, Georgia, from 1992–2008. While at The Walker School, he also served as the Dean of Students from 2000–2004 and the Academic Dean from 2004–2008. He began his career teaching government, economics, and history at the Brentwood School in Sandersville, Georgia, from 1990–1992.
He earned his Ed.D. in School Improvement from the University of West Georgia, his M.A. in Education from Georgia State University, and his B.A. in Political Science from Miami University. He is a member of Kappa Delta Pi honor society.
Dr. Phillipps and his wife, Shelly, have three children: Brooke, Braden, and David '25.
Dr. Phillipps has over 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, coach, dean of students, academic dean, athletic director, division head, and head of school. An avid tennis player, he has coached wrestling, cross country, football, and tennis and was twice named Georgia Coach of the Year. Additionally, he is a board member for the Alabama Association of Independent Schools and has served as an accreditation chair for the Southern Association of Independent Schools eight times. As Dr. Phillipps says, “I believe the success of a school, since it is in the business of improving the lives of people, is unquestionably tied to strong relationships, both inside and outside the immediate school community.”
Dr. Phillipps served as Head of School at Houston Academy in Dothan, Alabama, from 2012–2022. Prior to his time at Houston Academy, he was the Upper School Director at the University School in Jackson, Tennessee, from 2008–2012 and was also the Athletic Director from 2009–2011. He taught AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, and World History at The Walker School in Marietta, Georgia, from 1992–2008. While at The Walker School, he also served as the Dean of Students from 2000–2004 and the Academic Dean from 2004–2008. He began his career teaching government, economics, and history at the Brentwood School in Sandersville, Georgia, from 1990–1992.
He earned his Ed.D. in School Improvement from the University of West Georgia, his M.A. in Education from Georgia State University, and his B.A. in Political Science from Miami University. He is a member of Kappa Delta Pi honor society.
Dr. Phillipps and his wife, Shelly, have three children: Brooke, Braden, and David '25.
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