Why rushing to hire often costs schools more than waiting to prepare

In independent schools, leadership transitions rarely announce themselves politely. A resignation lands. A timeline compresses. A committee forms. And suddenly, the instinct is clear: post the role, start interviewing, move fast.

IndySchool Consultancy is honored to share the appointments of three exceptional leaders who will guide their respective schools into exciting new chapters. Each leader embodies the qualities that independent schools need in the years ahead: strategic vision, relational leadership, financial and operational acumen, and an unwavering commitment to student-centered excellence.

We are honored to partner with King School—a vibrant PreK–12 independent day school in Stamford, Connecticut—on the search for their next Head of Middle School (Grades 6–8). King’s mission of helping students “discover who they are and how they learn” is deeply aligned with ISC’s own commitment to purpose-driven leadership. With an enrollment of approximately 700 students and a strong reputation for academic rigor, innovation, and inclusive community, King offers a dynamic setting for a transformational Middle School leader.

IndySchool Consultancy (ISC) is proud to partner with Hebron Academy, a distinguished independent boarding and day school in Maine, in its search for the next Head of School, to begin in July 2026. Founded in 1804, Hebron Academy stands among New England’s most historic schools—an institution where tradition and innovation intersect in a close-knit community dedicated to curiosity, character, and connection.

This piece explores why independent schools must think beyond résumés and credentials when building senior leadership teams, and instead invest intentionally in the culture, trust, and collaborative spirit that enable schools to thrive.

IndySchool Consultancy (ISC) is honored to partner with The Donoho School, an independent college-preparatory school in Anniston, Alabama, in the search for its next Middle & Upper School Head. This pivotal role will oversee grades 6–12, shaping the academic and student life experience for Donoho’s older students.

At IndySchool Consultancy (ISC), we are honored to partner with schools across the country in identifying, vetting, and securing exceptional leaders who will shape the future of their communities. As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and outreach, we are pleased to share our latest retained searches.

For Heads of School, trustees, and senior administrators, launching a leadership search often feels like stepping into a storm. What begins as a strategic priority quickly becomes a drain on time, energy, and trust across the community. At IndySchool Consultancy, we’ve seen the same frustrations repeated across schools of all sizes — and we’ve built our model to solve them.

At IndySchool Consultancy, we are passionate about connecting exceptional leaders with independent schools that are truly shaping the future of education. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas, as we embark on the pivotal search for their next Assistant Head of School for Program, with an anticipated start date of July 2026. This critical leadership role is central to advancing Pulaski Academy's vision of being a "Leader in Academic Innovation."

As a long-time educator and a former Head of School, I've had countless conversations about the role of school leadership. From the outside, the Head of School's job seems clear: leading assemblies, shaking hands at school events, delivering a compelling commencement speech, and being the public face of the institution.

However, after decades in the profession, I've come to believe that the Head of School's job is like an iceberg—only a small, visible portion of it is seen by the public, while the vast and more critical part remains hidden beneath the surface.

IndySchool Consultancy is honored to collaborate with Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, California, as they seek their next Director of Development. This is a truly significant leadership opportunity to shape the philanthropic future of one of Orange County's most esteemed independent schools.

The partnership between a Head of School and their Board of Trustees is the single most critical relationship for the health and success of an independent school. While Boards are responsible for governance, strategic oversight, and fiduciary duties, a truly effective partnership requires a deeper level of understanding from the Board about the Head's daily realities, challenges, and the nuances of school leadership.

IndySchool Consultancy is thrilled to announce the exciting addition of Kevin Kunst to our team as a Senior Consultant. This strategic appointment significantly strengthens our firm's capabilities, further solidifying our commitment to providing unparalleled leadership search services to independent schools nationwide. Kevin's distinguished career and deep understanding of the independent school landscape will be an invaluable asset to our clients.

IndySchool Consultancy is honored to collaborate with Santa Catalina School in Monterey, California, as they seek their next Director of Development. This pivotal leadership position is crucial to advancing the school's mission and ensuring the resources necessary to continue its legacy of excellence.

At IndySchool Consultancy, we are passionate about connecting exceptional talent with independent schools that are shaping the future of education. As a firm founded by a former Head of School, we understand that finding the right leader—one who truly "fits" the school's mission and culture—is paramount to long-term success.

IndySchool Consultancy is pleased to announce our partnerships with two distinguished independent schools in the Mid-Atlantic region as they embark on crucial leadership searches. We have been selected to lead the search for the next Director of Enrollment Management at Grace Episcopal Day School in Kensington, Maryland, and the Director of Learning Support at Stuart Hall School in Staunton, Virginia.

IndySchool Consultancy is delighted to announce our partnership with The Kew-Forest School, a vibrant and diverse independent school located in the heart of New York City. We have been selected to lead the searches for two crucial leadership positions: Director of Enrollment Management and Head of Lower School.

IndySchool Consultancy is excited to announce our partnership with The Orchard School in Indianapolis, Indiana, to lead the search for their next Director of IT & Innovation. This pivotal role will shape the future of technology and its integration within The Orchard School's progressive and student-centered learning environment.

IndySchool Consultancy is delighted to announce the addition of Chris Brueningsen to our team as Senior Search Consultant. Chris brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of independent school leadership, making him a valuable asset to our firm and the schools we serve.

IndySchool Consultancy, a leading search firm specializing in placing exceptional leaders in independent schools, today announced it has been retained by St. John's Prep to lead the search for their next Assistant Head of School for Campus Operations.

IndySchool Consultancy is pleased to announce its continued partnership with The Calhoun School, a renowned independent school in New York City, to conduct a search for their newly created position of Director of Strategic Projects & Board Relations.

The "advancement model" has become increasingly common in independent schools, encompassing fundraising, alumni relations, communications, and marketing under one umbrella. While this model offers potential benefits, it also presents challenges. At IndySchool Consultancy, we believe in informed decision-making. So, let's explore the pros and cons:

I see many LinkedIn comments daily about hiring for attitude and capacity for growth. I agree wholeheartedly. However, I also hear from many people who applied for positions they knew they were the perfect fit for, only to receive a canned response saying they didn’t even make it to the interview round. As a consultant, this has made me reflect on the decisions we make about who to interview, what questions to ask, and how to evaluate not just skills but the potential for a candidate to be an affinity match for the school and position.

IndySchool Consultancy is pleased to announce our partnership with Oak Mountain School in Carrollton, Georgia, to lead the search for their next Director of Advancement. This is an immediate opening, and we are eager to connect Oak Mountain with a talented and passionate leader who can guide their fundraising and development efforts.

IndySchool Consultancy, a leading search firm specializing in placing exceptional leaders in independent schools, today announced that it has been retained by Calhoun School to lead the search for its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

IndySchool Consultancy is honored to announce our partnership with St. John's Episcopal School in Olney, Maryland, to lead the search for both an Interim Head of School (July 2025 start) and a permanent Head of School (July 2026 start).

IndySchool Consultancy is proud to announce that it has been selected to lead the Head of School search for Browne Academy, a premier independent school located in Alexandria, Virginia.