About NFS

Head of School Search

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Head of School Search

Overview

After 18 years of outstanding leadership at Newtown Friends School and 39 years as an educator, Dana H. Harrison, Head of School, will retire at the close of the 2027-28 academic year. During his tenure, Dana has played an integral role in shaping the school’s growth, strengthening its community, and advancing its mission of providing an exceptional Quaker education.

As Newtown Friends School prepares for this important leadership transition, the School Committee has initiated a thoughtful and comprehensive search for the school’s next Head of School.

To guide this process, the School Committee is in the process of selecting a search firm with expertise in independent and Quaker school leadership searches. Once a firm has been selected, an update will be shared with the NFS community.

This webpage will serve as the primary resource for information and updates throughout the search process, including key announcements, the search timeline, frequently asked questions, and opportunities for members of the Newtown Friends School community to participate.

Meaningful, inclusive, and transparent engagement will be an essential part of a successful search for the next Head of School. We look forward to partnering with the entire NFS community as we seek the next leader to build on the school’s strong foundation and carry its mission forward.

Timeline

October 14, 2026: Head of School search announced to the NFS community
Fall, 2026: School Committee Selects a Search Consultant
Fall, 2026: School Committee Selects the Search Committee
Winter, 2026: Search Consultant meets with the faculty, staff, parents, and the community
Spring, 2027: Search Consultant develops leadership profile
Spring, 2027: Announce position, recruit candidates, and select semifinalist candidates
Summer, 2027: Select finalist candidates
Fall, 2027: Host finalists on campus and introduce them to the community; gather community feedback and vet finalists; NFS School Committee selects new Head of School
Winter, 2027 and Spring, 2028: New Head and current Head prepare for transition.
Summer, 2028: New Head starts

Communication

List of 2 items.

October 2026 - A letter from Head of School Dana Harrison to Clerk of the School Committee, Steve Bacher
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October 2026 - A letter from Clerk of the School Committee, Steve Bacher, to the NFS Community
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Frequently Asked Questions

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

What responsibilities does the NFS Search Committee hold?

The Search Committee is responsible for guiding a thoughtful and comprehensive process to identify the next Head of School for Newtown Friends School. Working in partnership with the School Committee and search consultant, the committee will gather input from the school community, help establish the qualities and qualifications sought in the next leader, review candidates, and coordinate the interview and evaluation process. The committee will work to identify a leader who reflects NFS’s mission and values and can guide the school confidently into its next chapter.
Will the Head of School search impact my child’s experience at NFS?

We are committed to ensuring that the search process has minimal impact on students’ daily experience at Newtown Friends School. The Search Committee and School Committee will thoughtfully manage the transition while faculty and staff remain focused on providing an engaging, supportive, and high-quality learning experience. Our students, their growth, and their well-being will continue to be our highest priorities throughout this process.
How will the community be informed about the progress of the search?

Open communication will be an important part of the Head of School search. This dedicated webpage will serve as the central resource for search updates, important milestones, the anticipated timeline, and answers to frequently asked questions. Updates will also be shared with the community through school communications and email. As the process advances, we will balance the importance of keeping our community informed with the confidentiality required to protect candidates and ensure a successful search.
When will the new Head of School begin?

The next Head of School is expected to begin in July 2028, following Dana Harrison’s retirement at the conclusion of the 2027–2028 academic year.
When will Dana H. Harrison officially retire?

Dana H. Harrison will retire at the close of the 2027–2028 academic year, concluding 18 years of dedicated leadership as Head of School at Newtown Friends School. He remains committed to leading the school through this transition and ensuring a strong foundation for the next chapter in NFS’s history.
Will Newtown Friends School’s mission and philosophy change with a new Head of School?

Newtown Friends School will remain firmly grounded in its mission, Quaker values, and commitment to nurturing the light in every child. Our dedication to providing a thoughtful, engaging, and student-centered education will continue to guide our work. As a Friends school, we value community, integrity, stewardship, and respect for the individuality of each student. These principles will remain at the heart of the NFS experience as we welcome new leadership and look toward the future.
How will members of the NFS community—parents and guardians, faculty and staff, students, and alumni—be involved in the search?

The perspectives of our entire school community are important to a successful search. Opportunities for parents and guardians, faculty and staff, students, alumni, and other members of the NFS community to share their thoughts and insights will be provided throughout the process. These opportunities may include surveys, listening sessions, and other forums designed to help identify the qualities and experience our community values in its next Head of School. Community input will help inform the search while respecting the confidentiality necessary during candidate evaluation.
Who is leading the search?

The School Committee will oversee the Head of School search process and engage a search consultant with expertise in independent school leadership and experience working with Quaker schools. Additional information about the search consultant and the members of the Search Committee will be shared with the community as the process moves forward.
What does this mean for the future of Newtown Friends School?

This leadership transition is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the past 18 years while looking ahead to the future of Newtown Friends School. We will build upon the strong foundation of our Quaker tradition, the dedication of our faculty and staff, the engagement of our families and alumni, and our commitment to educational excellence. As NFS continues to grow and evolve—including our work toward International Baccalaureate (IB) World School accreditation and the continued development of innovative learning experiences—we seek a Head of School who will honor our history, embrace our mission, and help lead our community into its next chapter. Together, we will continue building, strengthening, and sustaining a school community where every child is known, valued, and inspired to flourish.