Head of School Search

June 23, 2026 Dear Montgomery Community, As the summer begins in earnest, I wanted to share another update on school leadership. Tom McManus has shared with me how much he appreciates the many kind words and notes he's received since announcing he will conclude his tenure at the end of the 2026-27 school year.  It's also important to note that Tom isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, he is on campus most summer days working to make the coming year a great one. We are fortunate to continue to have his leadership while we also put the structures in place to find the next head of school. Given our timeline, Tom will then be able to support a strong transition to help the new leader get prepared for the handoff in the summer of 2027. As we prepare for the next chapter, it is the Board of Trustees' responsibility to ensure a thoughtful and seamless leadership transition. To help guide this process, we have assembled a search committee of dedicated individuals that reflect the breadth of our diverse community. I am pleased to share the members of Montgomery School's Head of School Search Committee are: Amy Chang Lee P'28: Search Chair, Trustee, Parent Chanelle Bishop-Gilyard P'24'27'30: Trustee, Cultivation Committee, Parent Chris Mazza P'27'30: Trustee, Cultivation Committee, Parent Chase Markee '05: Trustee, Governance Committee, Alumni Kate Miceli P'28'32: Trustee, Finance Committee, Parent Benjamin Capps P'29'32: Parent, MSCA President Susan Marotta: Head of Lower School Charles Hambrick: Middle School Faculty The committee represents a cross-section of our community members, including trustees, current and past parents, alumni, faculty, and school leadership. In addition to my role as Chair of the Board of Trustees, I will also serve as a member of the committee. Working alongside our search consultants at DRG Talent, the committee will gather community input, develop the leadership profile for Montgomery's next Head of School, and evaluate candidates who will build upon the school's strong foundation and bright future. This search reflects the Board's commitment to thoughtful planning and responsible stewardship. We are fortunate to be undertaking this process from a position of strength, guided by a clear mission, an exceptional faculty and staff, and an engaged community of students, families, alumni, and friends. In the coming months, there will be opportunities for members of our community to share their perspectives and help inform the search process. We encourage you to participate and visit the Head of School Search webpage for updates and additional information. Thank you for your continued support of Montgomery School and for your partnership as we look ahead with confidence. Best regards,

Niall Doherty Chair of the Board of Trustees

June 9, 2026

Dear Montgomery School Community,

With joyful gratitude for all that Montgomery has brought into my life, I am writing to share the bittersweet news that the coming school year, 2026-27, will be my last as Head of School. To lead Montgomery for six (and soon seven) years has been one of the great opportunities of my professional career. Even as I move on to a new opportunity for myself and my family beginning in July, 2027, I now and will always have Montgomery deep in my heart. 

Joining the school in the summer of 2020, my Montgomery experience was magic from the very beginning. Even as we collectively wrestled with unpredictable challenges in the world around us, the quality and strength of Montgomery’s people shone through. Those students, teachers, families, and alumni helped me to lead and invited me in to experience the mission and values as they do, fully and lovingly. From our chapel gatherings to Fall Fun Day, Friday Night Lights to Greek and Roman games, our promise to “preserve childhood” is at the very heart of each Montgomery day. I’ve been humbled to work with extraordinary educators who bring the mission to life and who nurture and care for our children. 

Montgomery thrives because of the village that surrounds and sustains our work. Whether someone finds us through careful discernment and/or is part of a long-time Montgomery family, everyone who commits to this community as their school home does so with trust, intention, and enthusiasm. The school’s strong and steadfast leaders within the administration and the Board of Trustees continually strive to ensure that the school remains worthy of that trust. Our mission grounds us and we keep our eyes forward on the future success of each and every learner. A network of individuals and community partners in Chester Springs and beyond also raise up the school, reinforcing the school's important role in the community where our families and employees live and work.

During my time, I’ve been so proud of each step forward we’ve achieved together. Those include visible symbols like our creek classroom, rain garden, Gresh Academic Center ground floor makerspaces and hub, redesigned amphitheater, new baseball field, and (coming next fall!) a refreshed Bell Hall. We’ve also expanded our programming through the Playhouse for preschoolers (an innovative partnership with SALT Performing Arts), our specialized 5th and 6th grade transition model, expanded environmental and outdoor learning, enhanced character education and counseling resources, and so much more. And I truly believe the best is yet to come.

I look forward to experiencing the excitement and learning journey that the coming year represents for our students. I will also savor the opportunity to work with our peerless teachers.  It’s wonderful to know that I have a year ahead with you before I embrace a new leadership role in another part of the country which has a special draw for my family. I know the year to come will see us building our school and community, pursuing our shared goals, and ensuring the continuity of leadership Montgomery richly deserves. 

Warmly,

Tom McManus
Head of School

 

June 9, 2026

Dear Montgomery School Community,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am writing to share an important update regarding Montgomery School's leadership transition. As Tom McManus shared in his letter, he will conclude his tenure as Head of School at the end of the 2026–27 school year.

The Board is deeply grateful for Tom's leadership and for the thoughtful way he has approached this decision. Since joining Montgomery in 2020 during one of the most challenging periods in education, Tom has provided steady, thoughtful leadership while guiding the school through the pandemic, strengthening our academic program, advancing strategic priorities, and helping position Montgomery for continued success. His commitment to our students, faculty and staff, and the broader school community has left a meaningful and lasting impact.

While there is still much to accomplish during the coming year, Tom's early announcement provides the Board with the opportunity to conduct a deliberate and well-planned search for Montgomery's next leader while ensuring a smooth and thoughtful transition.

To support this effort, the Board has engaged DRG Talent, a nationally recognized executive search firm with extensive experience in Head of School searches. We are also forming a Search Committee composed of trustees, faculty, staff, and community members who will work closely with DRG throughout the process.

Community engagement will be an important part of the search. Faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and other stakeholders will have opportunities to share their perspectives on the qualities, experiences, and leadership characteristics that will best serve Montgomery's future. This feedback will help inform the search and support the identification of Montgomery’s next Head of School.

To help keep our community informed throughout the process, we have created a dedicated Head of School Search webpage where you can find updates, communications, key dates, and other information related to the search.

We encourage you to visit this page regularly as new information becomes available: 

Head of School Search Webpage

Our anticipated timeline is as follows:

June 2026

• Appointment of search consultants 
• Formation of Search Committee  
• Launch of dedicated search webpage  

Summer 2026

• Leadership Position Statement developed and shared
• Community listening and feedback sessions conducted
• Candidate recruitment begins

Fall 2026

• Candidate outreach, recruitment, and evaluation
• Ongoing work by the Search Committee and DRG

Late Fall / Early Winter 2026

• Finalist interviews and campus visits
• Selection of Montgomery's next Head of School

Montgomery's future is bright. With a strong leadership team, exceptional faculty and staff, engaged families, and a clear sense of mission, the school is well-positioned for continued success. The Board looks forward to partnering with Tom and the Montgomery community throughout this important transition.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Sincerely,

Niall Doherty
Chair of the Board of Trustees