Greenwich's Whitby School Announces New Head Of School

GREENWICH, CT — Whitby School this week announced the appointment of Jay Briar as its new head of school.

Briar brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in prestigious PK-8 schools. He will assume his new role in July 2024 when the current head, Dr. Jack Creeden, retires.

"I am honored to be Whitby's next head of school, and I look forward to shepherding the next phase of the school's growth. I pursued this opportunity because I am a deep believer in the power of a PK-8 education. I have taught and led in this type of close community my entire career and know it is the best environment for children to grow, discover their academic passions, and develop the leadership skills and character traits that will serve them for a lifetime," Briar said in a news release.

The search committee, comprised of dedicated trustees and community leaders, conducted a rigorous and comprehensive seven-month search to find a leader who could build upon Whitby School's strong legacy and contribute significantly to its future.

The committee sought an individual who shared a passion for student-centered education and embraced the school's commitment to Montessori and IB pedagogies.

"We are excited to welcome Jay Briar as the new Head of School at Whitby. His passion for PK-8 education, affinity for our teaching methods, and strong operational leadership make him an excellent fit for our community. He is highly mission-aligned and strategy-aligned, and will build on the momentum in our community," said Hannah Granade, chair of the board of trustees, in a news release. "Under Mr. Briar's leadership, we are confident Whitby will continue to provide an exceptional educational experience for our students."

Briar is currently the head of school at the prestigious Powhatan school in Virginia, a K-8 school located about an hour outside Washington, D.C.

At Powhatan, he successfully led the school to an all-time high in enrollment, innovated new admissions strategies, built Powhatan's external brand and relationships with community organizations, and fostered strong relationships with the donor community, successfully launching their largest capital campaign.

"What set Mr. Briar apart was his distinct enthusiasm, intellect, and genuine collaborative spirit. During his visit to the school, he expressed admiration for our exceptional faculty, our research-based teaching methods, and our outstanding Montessori and IB curriculum," noted Dr. Andrea Douglas, trustee and chair of the search committee, in a news release. "Moreover, his appreciation for our informed teaching and learning approach and our 'Middle School with Intention' strategy reinforced our confidence in his ability to lead Whitby into a bright future."

Prior to his headship at Powhatan, Briar spent 15 years at the Sheridan School, an experiential, interdisciplinary, inquiry-based K to 8 school in the highly competitive Washington, D.C. market, where he led the middle school, having previously served as the director of academic life.

He previously taught and led at the Norwood School, apprenticed at New Canaan Country School, and taught academically gifted students during his summers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.

Briar is a graduate of Vassar College with a degree in history, and George Washington University, where he received his master's in educational leadership.