Grace Episcopal (MD) - new head of school?

[Anonymous]

Any Grace parents out there with information on the change of leadership at Grace? We're applying for next year (Silver Spring campus) and a change in leadership is a bit troubling, but obviously there could be a million reasons (good and bad) for the change. Any thoughts would be most welcome.

[Anonymous]

There's currently an interim head, who was previously interim head at Agnes Irwin in Pennsylvania. She's very well-regarded. I think virtually every Episcopal school in Montgomery County either is experiencing leadership transition or will shortly, the ones I can think of are CES, WES, St. John's, and St. Andrew's lower school. So it's not anything unusual other than the mid-year timing.

[Anonymous]

Grace parent here who thinks it's a very positive change. The former head had been with the school 20 years, 10 as head, and that's a much longer tenure than that of the average head of an independent school. The new interim head, who will be at Grace for 18 months, is really impressive. She has decades of experience in many different roles at several independent schools, including Agnes Irwin, as the PP noted, and the terrific Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia. I have the sense that the interim head really understands Grace's mission and strengths and will help the school move forward in a dynamic and exciting way, and she also brings a wonderful personality and presence to the job. Grace has a strong Board of Governors who will work with the interim head during these next 18 months to find a new permanent Head of School. There is a lot of good energy about the change among the other parents I know in the school community, so I definitely wouldn't be troubled about it. Just my perspective, but I hope it's helpful.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you both for the replies...very helpful information.