The Avon Grove School Board planned a special meeting for Tuesday, April 15 where they were set to vote to appoint Dr. Scott DeShong as the new superintendent of schools.

The superintendent search process was facilitated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit, and the district received more than 40 applications from a diverse pool of candidates that included 33 superintendents as well as assistant superintendents and lifelong educators. Applications were received from candidates from 16 states.

DeShong has served as an assistant superintendent of Avon Grove School District since March of 2022, and before that he was a principal of Avon Grove High School. He successfully led the transition from the former high school building to the new, state-of-the-art high school facility, and he was very involved in the development of the educational model for the high school.

District officials touted DeShong’s exemplary leadership for several other important initiatives in Avon Grove, as well as his unique, community-centered perspective that comes from being a resident of the school district, as reasons why he will be a good fit for the new role.

As an assistant superintendent, DeShong spearheaded several transformative initiatives, including leading the middle school transition from a 7-8 grade configuration to a grade 6-8 configuration, leading the Early Learning Lab at Avon Grove High School, which will welcome 15 four-year-old learners at the start of the 2025-26 school year, and playing a key role in aligning the district’s programs with the Profile of a Future Ready Avon Grove Graduate. He also served as the district liaison to the Avon Grove Education Foundation, which facilitates secondary level school improvement teams, and he serves as a liaison to colleges and universities for dual enrollment programming and teacher education programs. During his tenure as high school principal, DeShong also successfully integrated professional learning communities with all faculty members to improve academic outcomes and increase the number of students participating in Advanced Placement courses. 

“Dr. DeShong's qualifications and clear vision to lead Avon Grove School District will prove beneficial for the future of our district,” said Dr. Dorothy Linn, president of the Avon Grove School Board. “We look forward to great things happening for all students. Under Dr. DeShong’s astute guidance, the school district will thrive, grow, and provide many opportunities for our students, staff, families, and community.”

DeShong is expected to assume his duties as superintendent of the Avon Grove School District on May 1.

“I am deeply honored to be selected as the next superintendent of the Avon Grove School District,” said DeShong in a statement. “As both a district employee and a proud resident, I am excited to expand my commitment to serving our students, staff, families, and the entire school community.”

He continued, “In Avon Grove, we are a 'team of teams'—from the school board, district leaders, educators, and support staff, to coaches, families, and community members. Our shared commitment to communication, collaboration, and community will be the foundation of our work. It is important that our students and school community members feel connected, accepted, and valued. By prioritizing collaboration and using data-driven, community-informed decisions, we will strive to improve outcomes for every student and ensure that they are future ready. I'm excited to begin this journey together as we empower and inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.”