Head of School SEARCH
Looking Ahead with Gratitude and Confidence
King School has launched a search for its next Head of School following the announcement that Carol Maoz will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year after what will have been six years at the helm of the school. This intentional timeline allows for a comprehensive, inclusive search process while ensuring continuity of leadership and momentum. The goal is to announce the appointment of the incoming Head of School in July 2026.
Carol will remain fully engaged as Head of School for the remainder of her tenure, continuing to lead daily operations, advance strategic priorities, and support the Board of Trustees throughout the transition.
Search Firm and Consultants
The Board of Trustees has partnered with Educational Directions, a nationally trusted executive search firm serving schools since 1986. The firm brings decades of experience and is committed to leading search committees through a comprehensive, mission-driven process that results in enduring leadership.
The search will be led by Educational Directions consultants Highley Thompson, Nicole McDermott, and Garet Libbey. Their bios can be viewed here.
Together, they will work closely with King’s leadership and community to identify a Head of School who will steward King’s mission and lead the school into its next chapter.
Search Leadership
The search process is being co-chaired by trustees Kimberly Arth P’28 and Daniel Villalon P’31, ’33, ’36. They will collaborate with the Board of Trustees, the Search Committee, and Educational Directions to ensure a transparent, mission-aligned, and community-informed search.
The Search Committee will support and advise the search. The members of this group are listed below in alphabetical order. We are deeply grateful for their time, dedication, and willingness to serve.
Search Committee Members:
- Lauren Bellmare KLHT'03, P’33, ’36, ’40
- Howard Boville P’31
- Sandy Burgoyne P’27
- Nick DeFelice, Chair of the Science Department, Upper School Science Faculty
- Michael Florio, Middle School Mathematics Faculty
- Mi-Sun Freeman P’22, ’29, Board Chair
- Kirby Grabowski Lim P’27, ’29, '29
- Nancy Heaton P’21, '23, '24
- Dan Lota P’31, ’33
- Hannah Scala, Grade 5 Faculty
| What's Next in the Process |
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The search process will unfold in several phases:
Updates and key milestones will be shared with the community as the process progresses. |
| Position Description |
A comprehensive position description is currently in development and will be posted here when available. |
| How to Apply |
King School welcomes inquiries and applications from accomplished, mission-driven educational leaders.Application materials will be submitted directly to Educational Directions. All inquiries and applications will be handled with confidentiality. Nicole McDermott, Highley Thompson, and Garet Libbey welcome all questions, expressions of interest, and confidential referrals. You may reach out to them directly at nicole.mcdermott@edudx.com, highley.thompson@edudx.com, and garet.libbey@edudx.com. The application deadline is Friday, March 27, and all application instructions will be included in the forthcoming position description.
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A Message from Head of School Carol Maoz
Communications To-Date
1/20/26
Announcement from Board Chair Mi-Sun-Freeman and Head of School Carol Maoz
1/27/26
Head of School Search Update
Honoring Carol Maoz's Leadership
As King looks ahead, we do so with deep gratitude for the leadership of Carol Maoz, whose tenure has left the School exceptionally well positioned for the future.
Under Carol’s leadership, King navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with clarity, compassion, and resilience; earned the highest possible ratings in its NEASC 10-year accreditation; successfully completed the 2020–25 Strategic Plan; launched a compelling new strategic vision for the years ahead; advanced the campus master plan with the opening of the Early Childhood Center and momentum toward a new Campus Center; and strengthened engagement, philanthropy, and community connection across all constituencies.
Carol’s leadership has been marked by her daily presence in the life of the School and her unwavering commitment to students, faculty, and staff. She will continue to lead King with purpose and energy through the 2026–27 academic year, supporting the search process and ensuring a smooth and thoughtful transition.