New Head Takes the Helm at Rocky Hill School

From Rocky Hill School:

Rocky Hill School welcomed its tenth head of school, Dr. James Tracy of Sharon, MA, to campus last week. Dr. Tracy was unanimously selected last August by the Board of Trustees to serve as the School’s tenth Head of School. Along with his wife, Jan, Dr. Tracy moved into the Head of School’s residence over Independence Day weekend. The three-bedroom house on the School’s 84-acre waterfront campus overlooks athletic fields and the Potowomut River.

“I am honored to lead this truly remarkable school, distinguished by the highest caliber of faculty and administrators,” said Dr. Tracy. “My wife, Jan, and I have been overwhelmed by the warmth of welcome extended to us on our previous visits to the School, and we are delighted to finally join the community. I look forward to meeting with parents, teachers, Trustees, and alumni over the next few weeks and months to support the School’s growth in 21 st century practices, philosophy, and principles.”

Previously, Dr. Tracy was Head of School at CATS Academy Boston. Prior to that he served as Head of Cushing Academy in Massachusetts where he successfully managed a turnaround of enrollment and fundraising and led the school to international academic recognition. Dr. Tracy also served as Head of Boston University Academy where he drove the seven-year- old school to achieve ranking by Boston Magazine as one of the top 10 private schools in Massachusetts and by Prep Review as the #21 private day school in the nation.

Dr. Tracy has an MA and a PhD in History from Stanford University. He earned an MBA with a Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management and an Ed.M. in Higher Education Policy, Planning, and Administration from Boston University. Dr. Tracy was also a Columbia University Klingenstein Fellow. He brings significant global experience, including fundraising in over 30 countries and consulting to international leaders.

Dr. Tracy is a national thought leader on the future of education in America, as represented by his international speaking engagements and publications. He brings tremendous professional experience, having made former institutions stronger financially and academically.

Dr. Tracy is the author, editor, or contributor on many publications including Why Change? What Works? The NAIS Guide to Change Management (NAIS Press, 2010), A Guidebook to the NAIS Principles of Good Practice (NAIS Press, 2007), Christmas Unwrapped: Consumerism, Christ, and Culture (Trinity Press, 2003) and Direct Action (University of Chicago Press, 1996). Additionally, he has had dozens of articles and reviews published in American Historical Review, The Boston Globe, Bostonia, Character, Education Week, Independent School Magazine, Journal of Education, Massachusetts Historical Journal, and The New York Times.

Photo courtesy of Rocky Hill School