Prominent Simsbury Prep School Names New Leader, Makes History

SIMSBURY, CT — A prominent Simsbury private prep school recently made history as it named a new leader who will start next year.

The Westminster School has named a 1996 graduate as its next head of school, marking the first time in the institution's 138-year history that an alumnus will lead the independent boarding and day school.

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Dr. Timothy Quinn, currently chief academic officer and dean of faculty at Miss Porter's School in Farmington, will become Westminster's 10th head of school on July 1, 2027, school officials announced.

The Westminster School Board of Trustees unanimously approved Quinn's appointment following a six-month national search conducted by the school's Head of School Search Committee with assistance from educational leadership search firm RG175.

Quinn will succeed Elaine White, who plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year after 41 years working in boarding schools.

"Tim returns to Westminster with an exceptional breadth and depth of experience as a talented educator who has lived the daily work of teaching, coaching and residential life and as an accomplished senior administrator who understands the enormous complexity of leading a boarding school," said Renée Lynch Carrel, chair of Westminster's Board of Trustees.

Carrel said Quinn brings the experience, strategic vision and understanding of the school needed to guide its future.

Quinn's connection to Westminster began in 1992, when he enrolled as a student.

He participated in varsity hockey and lacrosse, student government, and the yearbook before graduating in 1996.

He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Amherst College, where he captained the varsity hockey team, a master's degree in education from Harvard University, and a doctorate in educational and organizational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

Quinn returned to Westminster as a faculty member from 2006 to 2012, teaching English and moral philosophy, coaching hockey and lacrosse, and serving as a dormitory head.

During that period, he became the first director of the Westminster Teaching Initiative, a faculty professional development program that remains in operation.

At Miss Porter's School, Quinn oversees academics, college counseling, and faculty while serving on the school's executive leadership team.

His work has included initiatives involving interdisciplinary learning, competency-based education, global studies, technology, entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence literacy.

He has also continued teaching English and philosophy and participating in student life as an adviser, coach, and member of the residential community.

"I could not be more excited to return to Westminster as its next Head of School," Quinn said. "Westminster changed my life as a student, and as a faculty member, it helped launch my career in school leadership. I owe a profound debt of gratitude to Westminster for all that it has given me and my family, and I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to give back to a place that has meant so much to us."

Quinn and his wife, Sarah, currently live on the Miss Porter's School campus with their two children.

Sarah Quinn serves as director of admissions at Miss Porter's and previously worked as a Westminster faculty member.

Their son, Connor, attends Westminster, while their daughter, Annie, attends Miss Porter's.

"This is a homecoming for me and my family," Quinn said. "I take on the responsibility of leading Westminster into the future with a deep sense of humility and gratitude toward all those who have served the school before me."

Founded in 1888, Westminster School is an independent, coeducational boarding and day school serving approximately 425 students in grades nine through 12 and a postgraduate year. The school occupies a 200-acre campus in Simsbury and offers college-preparatory academics, athletics, and arts programs. Additional information about the school is available at www.westminster-school.org.

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