Mr. Deke Andrews assumed responsibilities as Head of School on October 1, 2007. Mr. Andrews, a native of Roanoke, received his B.S. in Industrial Relations from The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where he was also a four year football letterman.

Following graduation, Mr. Andrews worked in a variety of family businesses, most notably as President of Andrews Athletic Clubs, Inc. which developed a small chain of athletic clubs in the area, including the Roanoke Athletic Club. After divesting of these ventures, he was hired by North Cross School in 1988 to oversee the development and operation of the Carter Athletic Center, a 63,000 square foot, state of the art athletic facility. This entailed creating a unique model of blending a membership program with school activities to generate revenue and interest in the school, without inhibiting school operations. From here, Mr. Andrews became deeply involved in education in many diverse ways.

Over the last twenty years, Mr. Andrews has taught grade levels K-8, served as a Middle School Advisor for five years, coached over twenty athletic seasons at the middle school or junior varsity level and eight seasons at the varsity level. At one point, his tennis teams won four consecutive conference championships while garnering two “Coach of the Year” honors.  He served on the school’s Administrative Team for ten years, helping to establish and implement school policy. In addition, he served on multiple accreditation committees, including the oversight committee in 1996.  He received North Cross School’s yearbook dedication award in 2005.

Oddly enough, he considers his greatest teaching achievement to be his annual Men of Integrity 5th Grade Running Program. Each year, over a six week period, he guided all 5th grade boys to record times in their mile run. During this arduous training regimen, they would run a cumulative marathon (over 26 miles!) and cap their final day of training with a two mile run in one PE class. Mr. Andrews says of the program, “To see every boy, without fail and regardless of their ability, go way beyond their perceived limits is truly gratifying.”  This became a philosophy of Mr. Andrews’ teaching and coaching: for every student to achieve more than they think possible.

Mr. Andrews confesses, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, his most meaningful academic knowledge comes from the fact that he has 100 parent years of experience in education, including 18 years of middle school alone! He and his wife, Boo, have six children. They have had experience with independent schools, public schools, Christian education, home schooling and even a Florida based tennis academy.  Their oldest and only daughter, Betty Ashton, graduated from Vanderbilt University as a harp performance major. Deacon graduated from King College in Youth Ministry. Braydon graduated from Va. Tech in Business Management in addition to spending all four years in the Corp of Cadets. Britton graduated form UNC-CH and is now attending graduate school at Regent University. Jackson is in his fourth year at UVa and Jordon is a sophomore at Auburn University. Boo Andrews writes a devotional on the internet reaching 1000’s of people each day. She has recently begun a new career at Gentle Shepherd Hospice, ministering and counseling in a variety of ways. Mr. Andrews serves as a volunteer here as well.

The Andrews live at Shiloh, their home on Smith Mountain Lake. Over the past decade, they have conducted a variety of ministries there, including summer church services, youth events and retreats for all ages.  The Andrews have taught youth and adult Sunday School for over twenty years.

Mr. Andrews brings a diverse background to SMLCA; a combination of business, administration, education, athletics, family and ministry. He has a passion for young men and women to find and become their God given purpose in life.

He is currently a member of the Society of Classical Learning.

Ps 71:18
And even when {I am} old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Thy strength to {this} generation, Thy power to all who are to come.