About

Head of School Search

WELCOME TO THE HEAD OF SCHOOL SEARCH PAGE
This spring, our search consultants from Carney, Sandoe & Associates (CS&A) visited campus and engaged with a broad cross section of the Orchard community. Through meetings, conversations, and the community questionnaire, the search committee gathered valuable insight into the strengths of the school and the priorities for our next Head of School. We are grateful to all who shared their time and perspectives.

Several themes emerged from this work, including the importance of preserving Orchard’s progressive, experiential approach to education, strengthening faculty recruitment and retention, and identifying a visible, relationship-centered leader who builds trust across the community.
This feedback has been distilled into the Head of School Position Description, which will guide the search and introduce prospective candidates to Orchard’s values and priorities.
The Orchard School
CS&A has begun engaging candidates, and the search committee will conduct interviews throughout the summer. Finalists will visit campus in early fall, and the community will have opportunities to participate in that process.

We will continue to share updates as the search progresses.

Warmest regards,
Deb Thornburgh
Chair, Head of School Search Committee
Vice President, Board of Directors
Executive Committee

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

  • READ MORE ABOUT THE HOS SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS

    The Head of School Search Committee is comprised of Board members, parents, alumni, and faculty:

    The Orchard School
     
    Adrianne Glidewell-Smith ’94 
    (alumna, current parent, Board of Directors Executive Committee member, Community Engagement Committee)

    Matt Huntley ’97, Alumni Representative 
    (alumnus, current parent)
     
    Allison Housefield, Faculty Representative 
    (faculty member, 12 years at Orchard, 5th Grade English, 8th Grade Learning Support, Cross Country Coach)

    Deb Thornburgh (Chair)
    (parent of alumni, current grandparent, Dignity, Diversity, & Belonging Committee Co-Chair, Board of Directors Executive Committee member, former Director of Development and Parents' Association President) 
     
    Julie Wingate 
    (parent of alumni, former Early Childhood teacher who retired after 32 years at Orchard, Board of Directors member, Dignity, Diversity, and Belonging Committee member)

    Shawn Odle 
    (current parent, Board of Directors member, Co-Chair of the Dignity, Diversity, and Belonging Committee)

    Philip Genetos 
    (parent of alumni, current grandparent, former Chair of the Board of Trustees, former President of the Board of Governors, current Chair of Investment Committee)

  • HOS SEARCH CONSULTANT INFO AND VISIT DATES

    Stay tuned for more visit updates.

    Robert Vitalo and Burke Zalosh of Carney Sandoe were on campus after Spring Break on April 14 and 15. The Head of School Search Committee and the Board of Directors encourage parents, faculty, and alumni to share your hopes and dreams for the future of Orchard with Bob and Burke during their visit. 

    If you haven't received emails from the school, please reach out to Director of Marketing & Communications James Layne (jlayne@orchard.org).

  • SEARCH PROCESS UPDATES: EMAIL ARCHIVES

    ALL COMMUNITY EMAILS:

    EMAIL 1
    Subject Line: Head of School Update and Search Committee Details
    3-19-2026

    EMAIL 2
    Subject Line: OWL NEWSLETTER: HOS Search, Heritage Awards, Key Dates Ahead
    4-17-26

    EMAIL 3
    Subject Line: Thank You & Position Statement
    5-8-26

    Orchard community, if you are not receiving the all community emails, please reach out to Director of Marketing and Communications James Layne at jlayne@orchard.org.
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students: The Orchard School values diversity and seeks talented students. Orchard admits students of any race, color, national origin and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Orchard does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs.