Cambridge Athletic Association

After graduating from West Chester University in 1992 with a degree in History and Criminal Justice, Dr. Spurka began his career in education at The Glen Mills Schools.  He had intentions of going to law school but changed his career path when he became a role model and counselor for court adjudicated teenage boys.  During his four-year tenure at Glen Mills, Dr. Spurka went back to West Chester University and earned an educational degree in Special Education.   Dr. Spurka moved to Georgia in 1995 and began his career in Georgia at South Forsyth High School where he taught English and Special Education.  He continued his time in the classroom for the next three years at Milton High School before entering into school administration in his fourth and final year at Milton High School.  Dr. Spurka spent one year as an assistant principal at Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County and returned to Fulton County in 2001 as an assistant principal at Roswell High School.  After two years at Roswell and earning his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Georgia, he was named the principal of Roswell High School.  He served in that capacity for the past eight years before being named the principal of Cambridge High School.

During Dr. Spurka’s tenure at Roswell, the school flourished in academics, athletics and performing arts. Roswell High was named an AP Merit School for four consecutive years and was listed as one of Atlanta Magazine’s top high schools in language arts, math and science, and athletics. It also has won five state championships in gymnastics, one state championship in football, and several regional championships. In addition, the school gained national attention when Dr. Spurka presented at the National School Boards Association’s T+L (Teaching and Learning) Conference on how to use technology effectively to increase student achievement. Roswell’s partnership with Apple also earned it the Apple Exemplary Partnership Award in 2009 for using handheld technology in the classroom. Dr. Spurka is a four-time recipient of the Governor’s High Performance Principal award, which was signed into law at Roswell High School in 2006. He also was named an Outstanding Principal of the Year by the Georgia PTA.

On February 17^th, 2011, an article was posted by The Beacon’s Nan Cooper.  Ms. Cooper wrote:

Over the years, I have heard many good things about Spurka -- every parent has had something positive to say about their experience with him. Not only is he extraordinarily dedicated -- you'll find him at the school any time there are kids on campus -- but he also imbues in the students a sense that they are a part of something bigger than themselves. He takes the time to help them understand how what they do impacts others in the school and the community at large. Recently, a parent told me that Spurka is even a good role model for them on how to be better parents by being involved with the kids and the school.

And then there are the numbers . . . Under Spurka's supervision, RHS has made dramatic strides in academics and in sports. Last February, The Beacon reported that Kathy Cox, former Georgia School Superintendent recognized Roswell High School as one of the top schools in the state for the number of students taking and passing Advanced Placement exams. And the rest of the story is that the students succeeding are not just the ones from affluent families. Roswell High's diversity reflects the diversity of the community in socioeconomics and in race, and their success transcends what are seen as barriers at other schools.

And of course, who can forget the 2006 state championship football game where Roswell took home their first championship trophy in 36 years. 

Dr. Spurka is excited to return to the Milton and Alpharetta communities where he started his career in school administration.