Dr. Ross received his B.A. degree in History from the University of Buffalo and his Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University. He has over 20 years’ experience in education, having been a special education teacher, a high school assistant principal and an alternative school principal prior to founding Apprentice Academy High School.

​Dr. Ross is also a retired combat veteran, having served for over 28 years in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his first deployment to Iraq, he was responsible for ensuring that the Ninewah Provincial Council, located in Mosul, was properly trained to lead their people after the first democratic elections were held in that country. During his second deployment, he was responsible for coordinating job creation and housing construction for Iraqi civilians in the provinces south of Baghdad.

​Dr. Ross founded Apprentice Academy after recognizing that many students who were capable of attending college, but interested in pursuing other options, were missing a vocational pathway during their career exploration in high school. He believes in providing those students with the skills they need for high paying jobs upon graduation, using both their minds and their hands as valuable educational tools.