Georgetown ISD Names Drew Nichols as Principal of Richarte High School
Georgetown ISD is proud to announce the hiring of Drew Nichols as the next principal of Richarte High School, the district’s alternative high school of choice. Nichols brings 20 years of experience in public education and a proven track record of improving outcomes for students through innovative leadership and a strong commitment to student success.
Nichols currently serves as principal of Gonzalo Garza Independence High School in Austin ISD, where he has led one of Texas’ top-performing alternative campuses. Under his leadership, the school earned an “A” rating in Student Performance through the state accountability system, an achievement unmatched by any other alternative campus in Texas. He has also served as Vertical Team Chair for Special Schools, aligning strategies and supports across multiple campuses, and presented his work at the International Solutions-Focused Annual Conference in Toronto.
Throughout his career, Nichols has demonstrated success in improving attendance, increasing enrollment, boosting graduation rates, and reducing dropout rates. He has led major campus initiatives, including the creation of a dedicated testing center and a mental health and wellness center, while also building strong partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations to expand student support.
Prior to his current role, Nichols served in a variety of leadership positions at Anderson High School in Austin, including interim principal and associate principal. During that time, he helped guide the campus through remote and hybrid learning, supported staff development, strengthened school culture, and advanced academic and extracurricular programs. He began his career in education as a teacher and coach, building a strong foundation in student engagement and inclusive practices.
“Drew brings a depth of experience working with special populations that will be an asset to our Richarte community," said Superintendent Devin Padavil. "We look forward to welcoming him to the team."
Nichols lives in Leader with his wife, Shirley, son Emmett, and a Rottweiler named Gheera. They foster dogs through Austin Pets Alive and enjoy lake life. In fact, they are excited to be part of the Georgetown community and look forward to finding new adventures around Lake Georgetown.
Nichols holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas State University and a Master of Education from the University of North Texas. His background spans special education, athletics, campus leadership, and program development, equipping him to meet the unique learning needs of students at Richarte High School.
Nichols will assume his role as principal at Richarte High School in July.
