Trustees Announce New Head of School

Dear St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Family,

 

I am pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Tom Sheppard as the 12th Head of School. This appointment will be effective July 1, 2018, after the retirement of St. Andrew’s current Head of School, George Penick. Tom and his family will be joining our community from his current position as Dean of Enrollment Management for The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, one of the top private schools in the country. He has achieved a national reputation as one of the foremost independent school leaders for enrollment management, admissions, and financial aid. Previously, Tom held senior administrative, teaching, and coaching positions at the Stevenson School (Carmel, CA), Trinity-Pawling School (Pawling, NY) and Perkiomen School (Pennsburg, PA). He also serves as a Trustee for the Storm King School (upstate New York). A graduate of Washington and Lee University with a B.A. in History, Tom continued his education at Lehigh University with an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. 

 

This appointment is the result of an extensive search process conducted over the course of 10 months under the guidance and expertise of nationally-known search consultants. I wish to thank the St. Andrew’s search committee which worked tirelessly to carry out exhaustive research on each candidate’s background, qualifications, and educational leadership philosophy, conduct multiple interviews and on-campus visits, and review feedback from students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of St. Andrew’s. Tom was the committee’s unanimous recommendation from a strong and impressive pool of national candidates. The length and breadth of his independent school experience, his integrity, and his respect and appreciation for the St. Andrew’s mission, our traditions, and our values are just a few of the reasons we believe him to be the best fit for St. Andrew’s.

 

Head of School George Penick will continue to lead St. Andrew’s until June 30, 2018, and we are deeply grateful to him and to Carol for their support throughout this process. George and the Board of Trustees will work closely with Tom in the coming months to assure a seamless transition of leadership. 

 

Please see this letter from Tom, as well as this news release announcing his hire.

 

You will be receiving further information in the coming days about the search and selection process as well as detailed information about our new Head of School. We will be hosting receptions in the near future so that our families have the opportunity to meet him. Tom also will be meeting and addressing our students during several visits this school year. In the meantime, we are always available for your questions.

 

Most Sincerely,

  

Ravi Raju ‘88

Chairman, Board of Trustees

Co-Chair, Head of School Search Committee