Head of School Search Process

About the Process

RG-175 reviewed more than 75 applications for this role and determined that 45 were viable candidates. They spoke with each of these candidates and, based on their expertise and their knowledge of the needs of Davidson Day School (based on hours of research and community interviews), they narrowed the pool down to 13 top candidates and presented these to the executive search committee.

The executive search committee reviewed all the proposed candidate files and selected the eight semi-finalists to bring to campus to interview. From those eight interviews, the committee selected the three finalists.

The decision to select these three finalists is based on multiple initial interviews with John and Tom, on-site semi-finalist interviews with the executive search committee, 4-5 reference calls per candidate, and more.

In addition to the intense initial rounds of initial screening, the finalists now have two days on campus packed with meetings, interviews, conversations, lunches with students, budget exercises, receptions, dinners, and events. It has been a comprehensive process from start to finish and a significant stress test for these three finalists.

Key Takeaways from the Discovery Phase

All three candidates are different, bringing unique perspectives, experience, and skills to the table. All have incredibly strong references and significant leadership experience. What the executive search committee remains focused on is not which candidate is most well-liked but which of them also has the skill set and expertise needed to move Davidson Day forward on multiple levels and continue Davidson Day’s terrific forward momentum.

This is also a good time to share, once more, the discovery phase survey results and what it revealed about what we’re looking for in our next Head of School. Here are the top three takeaways:

The top three things our families value most about Davidson Day School are academic excellence, committed and high-quality faculty and staff, and close student-teacher relationships that result in individualized learning.
These results were extremely heartening, as the survey also revealed the top three focus areas for the next Head of School are recruiting and retaining high-quality faculty and staff, enhancing academic excellence, and building and enhancing academic programs that focus on nurturing curious, well-rounded students.
The most highly-ranked qualities our community seeks in a new Head of School is a visionary, innovative, and inspirational leader with successful leadership experience in a high-performing independent school. Outstanding communication skills, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset are the three highest-ranked personal attributes our community would like to see in a new Head.

The Three Finalists

Prior to the arrival of each candidate, we will share a short bio with the scholl community highlighting key accomplishments in their most recent position, the day before their arrival on campus. This is not meantnot a meant to be a comprehensive list of all of their work experience, but it does showcase what they’ve achieved in the last several years in their current role.

Questions ?

If you have any questions about the Head of School search process, please contact boardoftrustees@davidsonday.org.

Davidson Day School

750 Jetton Street
Davidson, NC 28036

P: (704) 237-5200
F: (704) 896-5535

Davidson Day School is an independent private school for students 2 years old through 12th grade in the Lake Norman region of Charlotte.

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