Renbrook’s Eleventh Head of School Appointed

West Hartford, CT - April 3, 2019 - On March 25, Renbrook School announced the appointment of Mr. Matthew Sigrist as the school’s eleventh Head of School, succeeding the current Head, Mr. Scott Hutchinson. Mr. Sigrist will start on July 1, 2019. Matt comes to Renbrook from Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, VA, a 1-12 independent day school with 1,232 students. He has worked in administrative roles since 2007 and served as Middle School Director at Norfolk Academy since 2014. In that role, Matt is responsible for 350 students in grades 7-9. Prior to Norfolk Academy, Matt served as Head of the Upper School at the Peck School in Morristown, NJ for seven years.

“We're excited to welcome Matt, his wife, Kathleen, and their four daughters to the Renbrook community. Matt’s natural leadership abilities are obvious, and his past experiences have prepared him well for this Head of School role. Matt’s hiring begins a great new chapter for Renbrook.” says Head of School Search Committee Chair and Renbrook’s Board of Trustees Chair Eric Daniels ‘77.

During his time at Norfolk Academy, Matt advanced many areas of the Middle School. He developed the division's Mini-mester Program and its relationship-based Advisory Program. During the school's recent strategic planning work, Matt contributed broadly to the effort, and he has led important committee work on faculty growth and excellence focused on faculty learning communities. Throughout his career, Matt has enjoyed the opportunity to teach, coach, and lead school divisions in K-8, 7-12 and 1-12 grade schools in large and smaller markets and in different parts of the country. He served as Upper School Director at The Peck School (Morristown, NJ) and as teacher, coach, and Middle School Moderator at Delbarton School (Morristown, NJ). Each of the schools where Matt has served shares traits and goals similar to Renbrook: student-centered, empathetic mindset, academic excellence, a focus on character education, and clear mission identity. He has taught and coached throughout his career, and he continued to teach math and economics and coach baseball at Norfolk Academy. At Norfolk Academy, Matt's current Head of School, Dennis Manning, appointed Matt to the Finance Committee, the Parents Advisory Council, and the Strategic Planning Committee. Matt has also participated in annual fund and capital campaign initiatives.

Matt earned his Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership at Columbia University, Teacher's College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Williams College, where he was captain of the baseball and football teams. Matt's wife, Kathleen, was the former Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Newark Academy (Livingston, NJ) as well as an Admissions Reader at Williams College and the College of William and Mary. Matt and Kathleen have four daughters ages 12, 10, 7 and 4.

Upon receiving the Board’s offer, Matt stated: "Kathleen, my girls, and I are thrilled to join the Renbrook family! I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with the awesome responsibility to serve the children, families, faculty, and staff of this wonderful school, and I look forward to opportunities this spring to visit campus."

About Renbrook School
Founded in 1935, Renbrook School is a pre-eminent preschool through eighth grade co-educational independent day school located in West Hartford, CT. The school enrolls students from 30 cities and towns in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Renbrook experience is defined by a high degree of academic rigor, personalized attention as a result of small class sizes, a nurturing environment, and an emphasis on values and respect among members of a tight-knit community. Renbrook School welcomes students of every race, religion, national and ethnic origin.

Come and get an Inside Look at grades K-5 on April 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. RSVP at www.renbrook.org/openhouse.