MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) – In a move that's both a homecoming and a bold step forward for local education, April Sneed has been tapped to lead the brand-new Poplar Hill Middle School, set to open its doors next summer. The announcement, made Tuesday by Rutherford County Schools Director Dr. Jimmy Sullivan, marks the culmination of Sneed's remarkable turnaround at Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School, where she transformed a struggling campus into a beacon of academic excellence.
Sneed, a longtime resident of the One Mile Lane area where she first arrived as a teenager, will bring her deep community roots to the role. The new school, currently under construction on Baker Road, represents a fresh chapter for Rutherford County's growing student population. Sneed will step into her principal duties in January, overseeing the final preparations for the August opening.
"Ms. Sneed’s leadership has been transformational at Whitworth-Buchanan, and the school has consistently been recognized for high performance," Sullivan said. "She currently serves as the cohort lead for our middle school group, ensuring collaboration amongst all of our high-performing middle schools. As principal of Poplar Hill Middle, I have the utmost confidence that Ms. Sneed will quickly build a welcoming and enriching culture in which all students experience the greatest levels of success."
For Sneed, the appointment is a dream opportunity laced with emotion. After seven years at Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School (WBMS), where she arrived in July 2019 amid challenges—including a Tennessee Department of Education label as a school needing targeted assistance—she leaves behind a legacy of innovation and achievement.
"I am beyond honored and excited to be named principal of Poplar Hill Middle School," Sneed said. "While I am thrilled for this opportunity, leaving Whitworth-Buchanan is truly bittersweet. I want to thank the WBMS community—my teachers, support staff, students, parents and community partners. The experiences and relationships built over the past seven years have shaped me into the leader that I am today. I know that we have built something outstanding that will be sustainable long after my time."
Looking ahead, Sneed envisions Poplar Hill Middle School (PHMS) as a hub of holistic growth. "PHMS will be a school where students thrive academically and socially, and they are prepared to grasp the opportunities of high school and beyond," she added. "A school that is welcoming to the community, feedback and input are valued, strong partnerships are created, and all stakeholders are proud to call themselves Poplar Hill Middle School Bobcats!"
Under Sneed's stewardship, WBMS soared from its early hurdles to national acclaim. The school earned a Level 5 designation for student growth every year of her tenure, was named a reward school twice, and became the first in Rutherford County to receive model school status from the International Center for Leadership in Education. Last spring, it clinched the prestigious Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse School award.
Sneed's personal accolades are equally impressive: She was crowned Rutherford County Principal of the Year in 2022 and advanced to the finalist round for Tennessee Principal of the Year.
As Sneed transitions, Rutherford County Schools will launch an immediate search for her WBMS successor, ensuring continuity at the high-achieving campus.
The opening of Poplar Hill Middle School underscores Rutherford County's commitment to expanding educational access amid rapid population growth. With Sneed at the helm, the district anticipates another success story in the making—one that honors local heritage while fostering future leaders.
