Christian County Public Schools has selected Ken Carver as the executive principal of the new Christian County High School, set to open for the 2026-2027 school year. The school will consolidate Christian County High School and Hopkinsville High School into one campus.
Carver, who currently serves as a school administrator outside the district, was introduced during a press conference Thursday morning.
“[I was] Born and raised in Muhlenberg County,” Carver said. “Graduated from Muhlenberg South High School in 2000. Played for Coach Stovall, but from there I went on to Murray State University.”
He earned a biology degree and teaching certification from Murray State in 2004, followed by a master’s degree and rank one certification from the University of the Cumberlands.
Carver initially planned to become a dentist, but a change of heart during college redirected him toward education.
“My junior year of college, I decided I didn’t want to look inside people’s mouths for the rest of my life,” he said. “Always loved working with kids. And obviously I loved coaching and loved leadership. So, yeah, decided to go into education and the rest is history.”
Now a seasoned educator, Carver reflected on how his approach has evolved since his early days in the classroom.
“I would say age has mellowed me quite a bit. Maybe softened me up some,” he said. “Understand that each kid and each individual is different. You know, what works with one may not work with another.”
As principal, Carver sees his primary role as one of support — especially for the teachers he leads.
“You’re leading the teachers and the number one thing that impacts that student in the classroom is that teacher,” he said. “So to me, the best way I can help those kids is by supporting those teachers and whatever they need to do their job to the best of their abilities.”
The district’s decision to reach out to Carver came as a surprise.
“I was just kind of didn’t really think it was real. Why are they contacting me?” he said.
But after visiting the district with his wife Alicia and learning more about the district’s plans, Carver was drawn in.
“Very impressed with their vision, with our vision now,” he said. “Very impressed with just their mentality of we’re not going to let this fail. And we’re going to do what’s best for our kids, even if it may not be the most popular across the board.”
He says he’s eager to learn and listen over the coming year.
“I want to see those things. I want to get in there. I want to learn,” he said. “I also want to learn more about the history and the traditions of both schools. And what are some things that we need to embrace and bring with us to the new school?”
Carver referenced a tradition from Muhlenberg County, where students and families annually celebrate the history of several legacy schools following consolidation.
“We still call it a legend seven night there where we recognize and honor the old seven schools,” he said. “It’s a really neat opportunity for them to come back. You embrace that, you recognize and you honor that. But then they’re also in this new home of the Mustangs.”
For Carver, the upcoming merger presents an opportunity to respect the past while building a strong future.
He praised the academy model being developed for the new school and emphasized the importance of community collaboration.
“It’s an exciting time,” Carver said. “And I think it’s going to be the fun ride.”
