Confidential Head of School Search for a Massachusetts Academy

Few schools require more of their leadership than an internationally focused boarding school. This Massachusetts based academy is part of a global school network and its students come from all over the world. It offers a college preparatory program, as well as serious elite athlete development. In practical terms, it is as much a complex business as an educational institution with residential operations, international enrollment, and an active commercial profile which together define what the Head of School role actually requires.

The incoming Head will be responsible for academic outcomes, student welfare, and the overall quality of the student experience across a fully residential campus, as well as the financial performance of the school, its international enrolment strategy, and PDSO oversight for student visa compliance. The latter is a reflection of the regulatory complexity that the position requires, in addition to its leadership requirements.

The process was run with confidentiality as a central function of the process. In the presence of the incumbent Head, all candidates signed a non-disclosure agreement before being provided with any material information about the opportunity, meaning that communication at each stage had to be carefully regulated. The sourcing focused on the senior levels of large international school networks where candidates were most likely to have experience of working in the type of commercially active, multi-campus environment this role represents. Midway through the process, the school leadership refined the strategic priorities, and the candidate profile was refined prior to final shortlisting.

Targets included senior leaders within established international school networks in Asia and the Middle East, and leaders of independent boarding schools in the United States. Candidates were guided through a structured multi-stage process from initial screening to formal presentations and direct interaction with the CEO and Board Chairman. One of the most important steps was implemented towards the end of the process: the shortlisted candidates were invited to spend a week at the UK campuses of the school network, providing both sides with the depth of exposure that a position of this seniority and complexity requires before any commitment were made.

A candidate we presented was appointed whose international boarding background was exactly what was required to cover the academic and commercial aspects of the brief. The required pre-employment screening, including Massachusetts CORI and SORI clearances, were completed in advance of the confirmed start date. The new Head joined remotely first in April and then moved to the campus in May, a transition structure that allowed for a measured handover while keeping the timeline moving.