Head of School Search

August 10, 2026

Dear St. Andrew's Community,

 

One of the greatest privileges of my life has been serving as Head of St. Andrew's Episcopal School. Today, I write to share a personal decision that comes with deep gratitude, much reflection and profound appreciation for this remarkable community.

 

After much consideration, I have shared with the Board of Trustees my intention to retire as Head of School following the 2027–2028 school year, which will mark the 75th anniversary of St. Andrew's Episcopal School.

 

As I thought about how best to conclude a career spanning more than forty years in independent education, I realized that retiring during St. Andrew's 75th anniversary year feels especially meaningful. It is a fitting moment for the school to look to the future with optimism, while giving me the opportunity to reflect with deep gratitude on the extraordinary people who have made St. Andrew's such a special place to lead.

 

Independent schools have shaped my life since the 1970s. First, as a student, and then as an educator and leader. Independent schools have given me the privilege of walking alongside students as they discover who they are, partnering with exceptional educators, and working with families who believe deeply in the transformational power of education. Of all the schools that have been part of my journey, St. Andrew's holds a uniquely special place in my heart.

 

Together, we have accomplished so much. We have strengthened our academic program, expanded opportunities across our Four Pillars, nurtured a culture of belonging, launched innovative initiatives that prepare students to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world, and continued building a community rooted in curiosity, courage, compassion, and faith. Every success has been the result of people working together with a shared commitment to our students and to the future of this remarkable school.

Head of School

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Melissa for her extraordinary leadership and outstanding service to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School over the past five years. We are immensely grateful for Melissa’s tenure and stewardship of the school over her tenure. As a member of the search committee that selected Melissa, I vividly recall her interviews and the task that lay ahead. Through Melissa’s tireless work ethic and exceptional leadership, our beloved school expanded programming, aligned curriculum, invested in faculty and students, and executed the historic transformation of our campus with the addition of our magnificent Highlander Hall -- a lasting symbol of her vision for the future of our community.

Always thinking of what is best for St. Andrews, Melissa gave a two-year runway to both continue her mission and, most importantly, to seamlessly transition to our next leader. Although we want her to stay, Melissa’s decision has our complete support.

The Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring a thoughtful and seamless leadership transition. We will soon establish a Head of School Search Committee comprised of past and present members of the Board. We will engage a nationally recognized executive search firm to assist us in developing a comprehensive leadership profile, conducting a nationwide search, and recruiting an outstanding pool of highly qualified candidates. Throughout the search, we will carefully evaluate candidates before inviting a select group of finalists to campus. Members of the St. Andrew's community will have opportunities to meet these finalists, learn about their vision for independent education, and provide valuable feedback as part of the process. Following this comprehensive evaluation, the Board will select the next Head of School.

Transparency will be a guiding principle throughout this journey. We are committed to keeping our community informed at every major milestone and will communicate regularly as the search progresses, through email and a dedicated webpage related to our Head of School search.

Rest assured, our school stands on firm footing as we cross this milestone. Melissa and I have spoken for many hours about the future of St. Andrew's and the baton that she will pass to our next head is one of a school on its ascent. Our next head will inherit opportunities rather than problems. The opportunity to complete our fundraising and the construction of a transformational new Middle School and STEM Center. The opportunity to steward a thriving school with a full enrollment of thoughtful, bright students into a future abound with technological advancements and academic pathways. The opportunity to leverage the best facilities in the region to achieve athletic success across all sports with committed, competitive young athletes. The opportunity to guide a best-in-class fine arts department to even higher heights. And, most importantly, the opportunity to further the kind, servant-leader mentality that defines the St. Andrew’s student.

Melissa has left an indelible mark on our school, and we are profoundly grateful for her leadership, vision, and countless contributions. At the same time, I am filled with optimism about what comes next. We will celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary next year and celebrate the momentous milestone as we close her leadership chapter and confidently look towards an exciting future.

Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and commitment to our school.

With gratitude,

Sean Greenberg
Chair, Board of Trustees

October 19, 2026

Dear St. Andrew’s Community,

I hope the school year is off to a wonderful start for your family. This past weekend’s Homecoming festivities were a blast and the turnout was outstanding. The St. Andrew's community is special and Homecoming weekend is a fun way to come together and see friends old and new while showing our support for our kids. What an event – it is an exciting time to be a Highlander!

As Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to share an update on our Head of School search, introduce the dedicated individuals who will guide this important process, and offer some perspective on the Board’s responsibilities as we prepare for this next chapter in St. Andrew’s history.

The Board’s Role in School Leadership

One question I am often asked is, “What exactly does the Board of Trustees do?” It is a fair question, and one worth addressing as we embark upon the important responsibility of selecting our next Head of School.

Under St. Andrew’s bylaws, the Board of Trustees is entrusted with the responsibility of appointing and overseeing the Head of School, along with providing the strategic and financial stewardship that ensures the long-term strength of our school. This includes safeguarding our financial health, planning for future campus needs, and ensuring that St. Andrew’s remains true to its mission for generations to come.

The Head of School, in turn, is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operation of the school, including faculty and staff, academic programming, student life, admissions, and the
many decisions that shape the St. Andrew’s experience.

We are extraordinarily fortunate to have benefited from Melissa Grubb’s exceptional leadership. Her dedication to our students, faculty, families, and the broader St. Andrew’s community has
strengthened our school in countless ways. We are equally grateful for the generous advance notice she has provided ahead of her retirement at the conclusion of the 2027–2028 school year. This thoughtful gift of time allows us to approach the search for her successor with the care, intention, and thoroughness that our school deserves.

Our Head of School Search Committee

Our first important step was assembling a Search Committee of experienced, dedicated leaders who know and love St. Andrew’s. I am delighted to announce that Beth Cohen and Eddie
Lewis will serve as Co-Chairs of the committee. Both Beth and Eddie are longstanding members of our Board of Trustees who bring valuable institutional knowledge, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to our school. Beth currently chairs the Head Support Committee, while Eddie chairs the Investment Committee. I have tremendous confidence in their leadership and am grateful for their willingness to take on this significant responsibility.

Joining them is an outstanding group of current and former trustees, each bringing a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to this effort.

St. Andrew’s Head of School Search Committee

Beth Cohen
Co-Chair; Head Support Committee Chair, Lower and Upper School parent 
Eddie Lewis
Co-Chair; Investment Committee Chair, Lower School parent
Sean Greenberg
Chair, Board of Trustees, Upper School parent
Lisa (Mobley) Miller '96
Current Trustee, Capital Campaign Chair, Lower, Middle, and Upper School parent
Amy (McMichael) Paddock '87
Former Trustee, Upper School and graduate parent
Jason Near
Former Board Chair, Upper School and graduate parent
Evan Dial '95
Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair, Middle and Upper School parent
Nicky Brennig
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Upper School and graduate parent
Sarah (Hughes) Queen '88
Current Trustee, Upper School parent
Aisha Gayle Turner 
Current Trustee, Advancement Committee Chair, Middle and Lower School parent

I am deeply appreciative of these individuals for their willingness to devote their time, talents, and thoughtful leadership to this process. Their collective experience, commitment to our mission, and affection for St. Andrew’s will serve our community exceptionally well.

Our Next Steps:
The Search Committee is already moving forward with its work. We recently issued a Request for Proposals to a select group of highly regarded educational search firms, with responses due in the coming week. The committee will carefully evaluate these proposals and make a recommendation to the full Board of Trustees regarding the selection of a search partner.

Once selected, our consultants will help guide a comprehensive search process designed to attract exceptional candidates who share our values, understand our distinctive Episcopal identity, and are prepared to build upon St. Andrew’s many strengths.

Just as importantly, we want our community to have a meaningful voice in this process.

One of St. Andrew’s greatest strengths has always been the extraordinary people who make up our community. Our families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends care deeply about this school, and their perspectives will be invaluable as we consider the qualities, experiences, and leadership characteristics that will best serve St. Andrew’s in the years ahead.

Throughout the search, we are committed to providing regular, thoughtful, and transparent communication while respecting the confidentiality necessary to attract and evaluate outstanding
candidates.

To help keep everyone informed and engaged, we have launched a dedicated Head of School Search webpage, where you can find updates, learn about the process, and share feedback. We
also anticipate conducting community-wide surveys and providing additional opportunities for input as the search progresses.

I sincerely hope you will participate when those opportunities arise. Your perspective matters, and your engagement will help us make the most of this important moment in our school’s
history.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee, thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and love for St. Andrew’s. We look forward to engaging with you throughout
this process and, together, ensuring that the next chapter of our school's story is every bit as meaningful as the remarkable 75 years that have brought us to this moment.

With gratitude,

Sean Greenberg
Chair, Board of Trustees
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School