St. Paul’s Episcopal School
Head of School
Start Date: July 1, 2027
Co-ed, Episcopal, Day School
Nursery to 8th Grade
284 students
6249 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124
Educators Collaborative is pleased to be assisting St. Paul’s Episcopal School in New Orleans, LA, in their search for a Head of School to begin July 1, 2027.
About the School
Spirit, Charm and Episcopal Ethos
Mission: “St. Paul’s Episcopal School is dedicated to instilling in our children strength of intellect and strength of character in a Christian environment that is positive, respectful, and familial. We encourage our students to strive to do their best, to be compassionate, and to appreciate and preserve the beauty of life.”
St. Paul’s Episcopal School is a place where the “focus is on learning to be good people” by celebrating childhood while students “gain the tools of how to be an adult.” To do so, this nursery-8th grade school offers its 284 students a stimulating blend of traditional and innovative programs, with a special focus on economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability, often through impactful service learning. Per the St. Paul’s Way, “Intellectual development is vital. Equally vital is the development of moral character.”
St. Paul’s Episcopal School also captures the spirit of New Orleans, a truly unique and iconic city. Its people are genuinely warm, fiercely committed, and truly resilient. Twice the school has recovered from devastating storms, each time stronger than before. It’s a school which is a “community that earns a place in people’s hearts.”
And now the school is excited for this next phase in its proud 66-year history.
The Challenges and Opportunities
The school hopes for an experienced, small-school leader who can articulate an inspiring vision that propels this special place forward. Key elements include:
- Following a leader who has served the school for 42 years, the last 16 as head of school.
- Partnering with the board on the next strategic direction and implementation for the next era in SPES’s history.
- Continuing to foster a strengthening relationship with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
- Inspiring, leading, and mentoring a group of committed, talented employees while honoring their sense of mastery, autonomy, and purpose.
- Developing a model for the sustainability of a unique small school in a highly competitive independent school market, moving from an admissions mindset to an aggressive enrollment management model.
- Nurturing a culture of philanthropy.
- Improved campus security systems and infrastructure.
- Programmatic review that honors tradition while streamlining, creating coherence, and fostering further innovation.
- Continuing to nurture the relationships with alumni, parents, past parents and friends of the school to solidify the foundation for fundraising.
The Ideal Candidate
St. Paul’s Episcopal School desires key qualities, characteristics and skills in its next Head of School. Most importantly, the next Head of School will be committed to–and embody–its mission and core values. More particularly, an ideal candidate will reflect:
- Experience with small school leadership and child-centered education.
- A visionary who explores multiple approaches to meeting challenges and cultivating growth.
- Financial savvy, with particular focus on budget management and auxiliary revenue.
- A community builder who offers a positive, inspiring presence, sometimes while negotiating difficult situations.
- Someone who can tell the St. Paul’s story in engaging, compelling fashion.
- Open and available; trustworthy and trusting.
- A clear, direct, and honest communicator.
- An effective manager who can handle multiple responsibilities and act decisively after appropriate process and input.
- Knowledge of, or excitement about, the uniqueness of New Orleans.
View the Information for Candidates, which includes the full Leadership Profile.
Why New Orleans?
New Orleans is one of the truly unique and iconic cities in the United States. For generations, New Orleans has been defined by its “soul”—a vibrant tapestry of jazz, Creole cuisine, and centuries-old architecture. In 2026, New Orleans has become a city as much about innovation as about intergenerational tradition. For the modern, visionary professional educator, New Orleans offers a rare proposition: a world-class cultural classroom paired with a skyrocketing contemporary economy.
Application Information
Learn more about the school, the opportunity, and the application process in the Information for Candidates.
Applications will be reviewed as received. The window closes June 1, 2026.
Mark Crotty, Partner, Educators Collaborative
André Withers, Partner, Educators Collaborative
Listing Date: March 24, 2026
Updated: April 2, 2026
SEARCH, TRANSITION & STRATEGY
