When Ryan Thomas walks the halls of Carbondale Community High School, he sees more than a thousand students — he sees himself. A 1998 graduate of CCHS, Thomas never imagined he’d one day return as principal. “I came back in 2008 to teach and coach, and I loved it,” he said. “When the chance to be principal came in 2018, I probably wasn’t ready. But I knew our kids, our families, our community — and I didn’t want anybody else in the position.”

Now in his eighth year leading his alma mater, Thomas carries the perspective of both student and educator. That connection runs deep, and it informs the way he talks about the school. “In my biased opinion, this is the best high school in Southern Illinois,” he said with a smile. “Mostly because of the people — the adults and the kids doing amazing things every single day.”

Ask Thomas what sets CCHS apart, and he doesn’t hesitate. “Our diversity is the biggest feather in our cap. It’s our superpower,” he said. Students arrive from multiple feeder schools, each with distinct backgrounds and perspectives. Together, they form what Thomas describes as “a thousand students with a thousand different needs.” Meeting those needs, he explained, requires flexibility, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.

“We want every student to find a place here — whether in a classroom, a sport, a club, the arts, or just having that one adult they trust,” Thomas said. “This is their home away from home.”

That sense of belonging is matched by a wealth of opportunity. CCHS offers more than 30 Advanced Placement and dual credit classes, helping students compete for spots at the nation’s most selective universities. Recent graduates have gone on to Duke, Stanford, Yale, MIT, and Harvard. At the same time, partnerships with Southern Illinois University ensure a steady pipeline for students who want to stay closer to home.

But Thomas is quick to emphasize that success isn’t defined by college alone. In the past year, the school launched a $4 million Career and Technical Education addition, including a welding program where students can earn industry certifications before graduation, and a full cosmetology salon where students complete two years of training and walk out ready to run their own businesses. Culinary arts, CNA training, and computer science are just a few of the additional hands-on programs that prepare students for careers immediately after high school.

“Our mission is a personal pathway to a productive future,” Thomas explained. “Not every student will go to college, but every student can leave here ready for a career.”

For Thomas, academics and programs mean little without relationships to anchor them. “This work is 100% relational,” he said. “Students have to know this is a building full of people who care about them and will hold them accountable. The sooner they realize that, the more successful they’ll be.”

That commitment extends to families as well. While digital tools help keep parents informed, Thomas believes in personal contact. “Whenever we can, we think a phone call is better than an email, and a face-to-face conversation is better than a phone call,” he said. Events like open houses — complete with dinner for families — create low-stress opportunities to connect with teachers and staff.

Thomas often reminds faculty and staff that every role, from custodian to counselor, carries equal worth. “We’re all here for the same reason — to support kids,” he said. That philosophy echoes the school’s motto, posted on walls and printed on T-shirts: Every student matters. Every moment counts.

Looking back nearly three decades, Thomas still recognizes the same spirit that shaped him as a student. “Whether kids are struggling or aiming for the Ivy League, I see myself and my classmates in them,” he reflected. “That’s what keeps me connected. This is home. This is who we are.” #terrierstrong