Harley’s Head of School Search

The Harley School’s Board of Trustees is leading a national search to identify the next Head of School. This effort is being led by a search committee of Board members, students, faculty, alumni, and administration that is supported by DRG Talent.

DRG Talent connects non-profit organizations with exceptional leaders and talent through personalized executive search and strategic consulting.

Our consultant team:

Andrew Watson – lead consultant

Jennifer Fleischer – consultant

Marc Prine – Organizational Psychologist

Omar Lopez – DEI Support

Cynithia Westbrook – Research Associate

Bee Smith – Research & Outreach Associate

Estimated Timeline

• March: The search consultants will visit our campus to speak with multiple stakeholders. A survey will also be sent to the community for additional feedback.
• Spring: The Opportunity Statement will be posted and publicized.
• Summer: The search committee will review applications and select semifinalists. The search committee will interview semifinalists, and select finalists to visit Harley when school resumes.
• Fall: The finalists will visit Harley and be interviewed by the search committee with the goal of announcing the new Head of School in early fall.

Message from the Search Co-Chairs

November 12, 2024: Candidate 4 Materials and Schedule

September 6, 2024: Update Email

April 23, 2024: Position Statement Released

April 4, 2024: Discovery Process Update​

March 21, 2024: Discovery Survey

March 19, 2024: Discover Phase, Live

March 3, 2024: Save the Date and Intro Search Committee

Harley Fast Facts

At Harley, we envision a thriving environment in which we all become our truest and best selves. Our values, both in school and beyond, are community, academic excellence, joy in learning, wellness, and sustainability.

We believe children are innately curious about the world and joyfully engaged in it. We value the spirit of exploration and collaboration in their drive to solve problems, both big and small. Our faculty cultivate an environment of academic exploration, where taking risks, making mistakes, and engaging in constructive discourse are integral to intellectual growth. We encourage compassionate connection within a diverse community, where each individual is valued and supported to reach their full potential. 

We support the habits of physical and mental well-being through social-emotional learning (SEL), mindfulness, and athletics. Our priority is preparing the mind and body to allow for positive, interconnected impacts on one’s health and overall well-being. 

We advocate for a sustainable future—and believe sustainability encompasses the interdependence of the environment, the community, and the economy on both macro and micro levels. This essential framework drives curriculum and community decision-making in ways that allow us to care for the planet and each other.

Harley is a college-preparatory school, and we have an extraordinary record of college admissions. However, our goals also include ​​nurturing students’ strengths and helping them reach their full potential. 

The Harley program is highly personalized, which allows classes to be student-centered and inquiry-based, an approach which can’t be replicated in large sections or within the limitations of the Common Core. Harley’s breadth of educational opportunities provides an environment for innovation, creativity, and scholarly pursuits that set the stage for student contributions to the greater good while, as our motto states, they “Become What Thou Art.”

We invite you to learn more about us and our community.

Rochester, NY, offers the perfect blend of urban excitement and small-town charm, with a thriving cultural scene boasting world-class museums, a vibrant music scene, and a delicious local food scene all in an affordable area. Whether you’re looking to continue your career in a city with a rich history of innovation and a booming tech sector, fueled by top-ranked universities like the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology, or you’re seeking a nurturing environment to raise your family with excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a wealth of family-friendly activities, Rochester provides the perfect balance. Experience all this vibrant city has to offer, from cultural attractions to scenic outdoor adventures, and become part of a strong, welcoming community.