Thank You, Mr. Higgins!

Mr. Jim Higgins served as CEO of MACS from 2011-2025, the longest- serving CEO in school history. He also served as Principal from 2011-2019, and as Assistant Principal prior to that, from 2007-2011.

When Jim first took over as CEO, MACS was facing the likelihood of school closure by charter authorizers for academic, operational, personnel, and financial mismanagement. Jim’s leadership and tenacity are credited with turning the school around and transforming MACS into one of the top performing charters in the state within 2 years.

By recruiting, developing, and retaining an outstanding, values-aligned staff, MACS was able to sustain its success and its position as one of the highest-rated public high schools in the city year after year, for the next 10 years and up until today.

Beloved by staff and students alike, Jim’s values, intellect, strong leadership style, positive personality, and polished people skills inspired a happy, supportive, and resilient culture at MACS. In addition to routinely achieving best in peer group test scores and college scholarship totals, Jim drove program excellence across diverse facets of the school, including the performing arts and student well-being initiatives, always stressing the importance of caring for the whole child.

Although we are saddened to lose Jim to his family commitments “down under,” his MACS Family carries on the culture he established and continues with the mission he defined.