A Heartfelt Farewell to Tony Jaccaci

After six years of exceptional leadership, Head of School Tony Jaccaci announced in January 2021 his plan to leave Country Day to assume his new role as head of Tabor Academy—an opportunity that brings him and his family closer to family and aging parents, a need the pandemic has certainly highlighted. Tony will certainly be missed and we are grateful for his commitment to our community.

“Tony has honored the traditions of Country Day and at the same time he has been an innovator. And, while he has honored Country Day tradition, he appreciates that institutions evolve—not by cancelling the past, but by efforts to understand the past more deeply and by listening to what it tells us. Tony has loved this school without interruption… he attended every theatrical performance and art show across the three divisions. He believes in his students and takes great joy in their accomplishments. No head in Country Day’s history has taken more photographs of our daily school lives than Tony…Tony has been our school’s leading ambassador.”

– Merle Black III, history department chair

Jody Brant ‘87 and Rob Zimmerman ‘98 presented Tony Jaccaci with a Country Day gift at his farewell gathering.

Leading the graduation ceremony procession for the class of 2021. “A transformational leader, Tony has nurtured the school’s growth in meaningful ways leaving us well-positioned as we approach our 100th year. Thanks to his visionary leadership, work ethic, and commitment, Country Day is stronger and better prepared for the future.”

– Joel “Jody” Brant ’87, Board of Trustees president

Tony Jaccaci catches up with the departing Board of Trustee members. Tony and Lucia Jaccaci share a smile with Rob ‘98 and Rania Zimmerman ‘98. A buckeye tree to remind Tony of his home in Ohio.

“To know Tony is to know someone with deep substance, commitment, character, and integrity. He always says ‘It’s all about the kids and this is not just something he says but something he has lived over six years. Tony is an impactful leader who has made Country Day a better place.”

– Rob Zimmerman ’98, interim head of school

Students show Tony some love. As he always says “It’s all about the kids.” With the help of Educators’ Collaborative, the search for Country Day’s 14th head of school is well underway. Consistent with its responsibilities, the Board of Trustees has appointed a search committee to conduct a comprehensive national and international search for a new head of school. The search committee is busy reviewing applications, and – pandemic permitting – will invite approximately eight to 10 candidates to in-person confidential interviews with the committee. From this group, the committee will invite the top candidates to the school early next school year for two full days of interviews. For more information about the head of school search, please visit https://www.countryday. net/about-ccds/head-of-schoolsearch. In January, the board unanimously appointed Rob Zimmerman ’98 as the interim head of school for the 2021-22 school year. His leadership experience, perspectives, and involvement with the school make him ideally suited to lead the school in the interim.