Active Search – Norwich Free Academy - Head of School

Superintendent/Head of School
Start Date: July 1, 2023
Coed Day School Grades 9 – 12
2,067 Students
305 Broadway, Norwich, CT

www.nfaschool.org

Mission

Since 1856, Norwich Free Academy has adhered to the philosophy of its founder to “return to our hamlets and our homes its priceless freight of youthful minds, enriched by learning, developed by a liberal culture, refined by study of all that is beautiful in nature and art, and prepared for the highest usefulness and the purest happiness.

Founder: John P. Gulliver

NFA Dedication Ceremony (1856)

The Vision

Norwich Free Academy continues to sustain the founder’s vision to see every student succeed. NFA is committed to providing a safe, nurturing and rigorous academic environment in which all students gain the knowledge and develop the skills to become resourceful members of their local, national, and world communities. Since 1856 the Academy educated students by:

Enriching their minds with knowledge
Developing possibilities to fulfill their potential
Refining their pathways through collaboration
Preparing them to meet the challenges of the future
Supporting them as they pursue their goals and dreams

About the School

Incorporated in 1854, Norwich Free Academy has always operated as a privately endowed secondary school governed by its appointed board of trustees. The campus-like atmosphere, with its unique architectural spaces, accommodates the community and helps develop creativity and exploration for students. NFA’s independent status safeguards traditions and fosters innovative responses to the needs of their students. The rich history, distinctive traditions and independence encourage generous financial support and active participation from trustees and alumni. NFA’s large, culturally diverse population supports rich, broad course offerings, outstanding athletic programs and numerous clubs and activities — all designed to develop the intellect, engage and employ the interest and instill a passion for learning. NFA students become productive and responsible adults. Norwich Free Academy draws strength from independence and balances commitment to excellence with care for each student.

One of three endowed and incorporated academies in the state of Connecticut, NFA serves the city of Norwich and eight surrounding towns: Bozrah, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Franklin, Lisbon, Preston, Sprague, and Voluntown. As a school of choice, NFA accepts students who choose to attend, and by agreement, their sending communities fund tuition. NFA also accepts private tuition students attracted to the school’s unparalleled programs, welcoming community and distinctive campus.

The Norwich Free Academy is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges for International Schools (NEASC-CIE), and is a designated high school in Connecticut.

About the Campus and the City

The NFA 42.5-acre campus is located in the city of Norwich in southeastern Connecticut. A majority of the main campus buildings are in Norwich’s Historic District and range in ages from the mid nineteenth century to the early twenty first century. A visitor’s initial impression of NFA is one of the grace and intimacy of a small college campus with generous open, green spaces and buildings. One of the lawns is home to the largest single collection of Japanese cherry trees north of Washington D.C. A satellite campus with 2 buildings on 3 acres is located at 90 Sachem Street.

One of only two secondary schools in the U.S. with a professionally managed art museum on campus, Norwich Free Academy is home to the Slater Memorial Museum, named for the 19th century industrialist and philanthropist John Fox Slater. For more than a century, the Museum has remained true to its mission as an educational resource for the Academy and the community. The Slater Memorial Museum’s relationship with the Norwich Art School has maximized the Academy’s ability to train young artists while contributing to the cultural life of the greater community.

Norwich lies at the confluence of three rivers: the Yantic, the Shetucket, and the Quinebaug which come together to form the Thames River which flows through New London south to Long Island Sound. Legend has it that Norwich is called the Rose of New England because of the city’s rose-petal like appearance when one looks at the hills above the Norwich Harbor.

About the Position

The Board of Trustees has launched a comprehensive search for the next Superintendent/Head of School of the Norwich Free Academy to begin their responsibilities on July 2023. The next Superintendent/Head will ideally be an individual of outstanding character, whose personal and professional skills match the School’s culture and who will inspire and enable NFA to achieve its vision for the future.

View the Leadership Opportunity Statement here.

The Search Committee expects to complete the search by late October 2022. Interested candidates should submit their materials by August 15, 2022.

Application Materials Requested

Candidates interested in this position are asked to submit the following materials in a Single Merged Document:

EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact Joan Beauregard and/or Sally Mixsell for the document)
Letter of Interest addressed to the Search Committee
Current résumé
Statement of Educational Philosophy
A list of five or more references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses)
Up to three letters of reference (optional)
Educators Collaborative Disclosure Form (contact Joan Beauregard and/or Sally Mixsell for the document)

Please email any inquiries or expressions of interest to:

Joan Beauregard, Partner, Educators’ Collaborative, LLC (email: jbeau@comcast.net, jbeauregard@educatorscollaborative.com,206-851-6616)

Sally Mixsell, Partner, Educators’ Collaborative, LLC
(email: smixsell@educatorscollaborative.com, phone: 203-824-3653)

Listing Date: May 17, 2022

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