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LAUNCHING INTO FUTURE GROWTH AND PROMISE
Message from the Board of Trustees Chair, Bill Zimmern ’95
THE 2023–24 school year reinforced the incredible strength of our school community and the solid foundation upon which we all stand. Despite unanticipated challenges, we finished the year on solid footing thanks to the steadfast leadership of the Board of Trustees and Interim Head of School David Mancos. As we begin the 2024–25 school year, last year’s accomplishments serve as a launching pad for future growth and promise.
In May, we announced Dr. Tara Christie Kinsey as our next head of school, beginning her tenure in July 2025. A relational, accom plished leader and experienced educator, Tara has served since 2015 as the head of school at The Hewitt School, an indepen dent school for girls in New York City. Previously, Tara held leadership roles at Princeton University, and has taught and coached at The Peddie School, Emory University, Georgetown University, Oxford University, and Princeton University.
A lifelong educator, Tara has effectively nurtured healthy relationships with constituents, built consensus for change, and acted resolutely when difficult decisions were necessary. She has led fundraising campaigns and major campus renovation projects and understands the importance of student mental health and wellness in the context of a competitive, high-achieving academic environment. Tara’s demonstrated decisionmaking and collaborative spirit will amplify the great work and legacy of our previous leaders. Simply put, our school is ready for the invigorating spirit and inspiring leadership that we firmly believe Tara will instill in our school community in the years ahead. Thank you to Kandi Deitemeyer and Stanton McCullough for co-chairing our search committee.
Another major step forward for Country Day is the development of a Strategic Plan framework that, in parallel with Tara’s proven leadership, will guide us in our mission to deliver excellence in education for every student.
At the start of the 2023–24 academic year, our Strategic Planning Task Force Co-Chairs, Ron Eliasek and Lisa Toppin, shared with the community our plans to develop core strategic values and aspirations of the school in service to its mission. The community was invited to participate in listening sessions in the fall, which complemented previous community input, including the SAIS accreditation process, the Wellness Survey by Authentic Connections, and the Parent Survey. Led by the Strategic Planning Task Force, the Board of Trustees combined our community’s input with external research on educational and demographic trends to narrow and finalize our core values and aspirations into a few broad guiding goals (next page). The Board of Trustees will continue this work next year by studying innovative trends in independent education and assessing the best and highest use of Country Day’s resources to determine the optimum path forward building upon our foundational strategic framework.
I’d like to thank Ron and Lisa for their strategic leadership, as well as the commitment of the Strategic Planning Task Force members: Katharine Atkins, Sam Bowles ’93, Shannon Drosky, Nancy Ehringhaus, Shanon Jones, David Mancos, Stanton McCullough, Leigh Moran, Scott Waybright, and Brian Wise.
Our ability to keep Country Day moving forward reflects the strength of our school community and the reputation for excellence we hold high. Highlights from the various reports in this publication include a reenrollment rate of 97 percent, Country Day Fund participation and giving at an all-time high, and parent support groups that partner with the school to build community and enhance the educational experience for our students. So many critical strengths underscore Country Day’s great promise in the years ahead.
Please join me in recognizing trustees rolling off the Board of Trustees this year: Gary Little, Scott Mattei, Stoney Sellars, and Scott Stevens. I sincerely thank them for their dedicated service and unwavering commitment to our community. Lastly, I’d like to welcome Ali Summerville, Kelly Walton Miller ’90, and Luis Lluberas, who will be joining the Board of Trustees this school year.
Thank you to everyone who gives their time, talent, and treasure to make a lasting impact for our school. I am optimistic for the future and the many ways Country Day will continue to be the educational leader in our region.
Sincerely,
