Doane Academy Announces New Head of School

Following a seven-month, nationwide search, the Board of Trustees of Doane Academy is proud to announce George B. Sanderson as Doane Academy’s next Head of School, effective July 1, 2015!

Mr. Sanderson’s unanimous appointment comes at an exciting time in the school’s 177-year history. With the construction of Rowan Hall – a new, main building that will enable the school to grow to an optimal enrollment of 300 students – Doane Academy is poised for continued growth and success.

One of more than 100 applicants, Mr. Sanderson was one of three finalists in the search for a new Head of School. As a finalist, and over the course of two and half days, he met with representatives of the entire school community, including the search committee, trustees, parents, students, faculty, staff, key administrators and members of the board of the Rowan Family Foundation – whose generous support has enabled much of Doane Academy’s recent growth and improvements. Mr. Sanderson was overwhelmingly endorsed by every segment of the community.

Mr. Sanderson’s life decisions and philosophy resonate with Doane’s core values and vision of making a significant contribution to society. A graduate of the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts, he went on to earn an A.B. degree in History from Princeton University and a M.L.A. degree in History and Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Sanderson brings to Doane Academy twenty-two years of experience as a key and beloved member of the faculty and administration at Princeton Day School in Princeton, New Jersey. Prior to his time in education, Mr. Sanderson had a successful eleven-year career as a Vice President of Chemical Bank in New York and London.

Mr. Sanderson is first and foremost an educator. He has been presented with the Robert C. Whitlock Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2012 and the David C. Bogle Award for the Pursuit of Teaching Excellence in 2010. He also received the Stanton Foundation’s “Innovation in Civics Education” program grant in 2012 and 2013.

While at Princeton Day School, Mr. Sanderson led many departments and initiatives. He is currently the Chair of the History Department, but his roles at Princeton Day School have included: Associate Director of Admissions, Director of Financial Aid, Director of the Woman and Leadership Program, Dean of Students, Director of Senior Independent Project Programs, Co-advisor of the Judiciary Committee, Co-chair of the Academic Affairs Committee and Co-chair of School and Community Committee for Middle States Evaluation. This breadth of experience in every aspect of independent school management, including budgets, admissions, hiring, academic affairs, student life, faculty professional development and evaluation programs, sequenced curriculum development, and integrated technology initiatives, leave Mr. Sanderson uniquely qualified to lead Doane Academy and continue the work of retiring Headmaster, John McGee.

A Board Member at Princeton Day School describes Mr. Sanderson in these words: “He has served as Chair of the History Department since 2006 and is one of the schools most respected and award winning teachers, both for teaching excellence and for curriculum development and innovation. His administrative experience is equally impressive for its range and depth. He has worked with distinction across the spectrum of administrative responsibility at Princeton Day School. Needless to say, he has earned the highest respect from administrators, faculty and students and trustees along the way.”

Mr. Sanderson’s professional development choices mirror Doane Academy’s core values in other ways as well. He is deeply committed to diversity and making private school education affordable to a diverse student community. He served as the Director of Financial Aid at Princeton Day School for six years and was a member and chair of the School Financial Aid Services Committee for the National Association of Independent Schools for five years. He was also a Dean and educator for NJ SEEDS, a non-profit organization that helps high-achieving, low-income students gain access to private school educations. In addition, Mr. Sanderson is committed to community service, serving on the board of several non-profit organizations.

As noted by a senior administrator at Princeton Day School, “He is a multi-faceted, deeply experienced and well regarded member of many committees and groups, but also trusted and respected by the students themselves. In my opinion, this admiration is a response not just to George’s approachability and sense of humor, but also his integrity and overall fairness.”

The former Head of the Middle School at Princeton Day School and current Headmaster Presbyterian Day School in Memphis, TN, echoes these sentiments. “I have had the opportunity to watch George lead many meetings. He is always thoughtful, prepared and conscious of hearing the many voices present. His work with the Academic Leadership Team of the school was a gift to a school in transition. George and his co-chair were the thread that connected the past administration to the current.”

Mr. Sanderson is excited about Doane Academy. “When I first stepped on to Doane’s campus, I was immediately drawn to the school’s mission and, moreover, its deep commitment to upholding its core values. An education at Doane goes well beyond the classroom, and the school’s dedication to cultivating the academic, emotional, and ethical qualities of its students deeply resonates with me. Doane also recognizes its long and storied past while embracing the present and future. As both a teacher of history and an educator who celebrates the potential of independent school education, I am proud to be joining the Doane family.”

The Board of Trustees of Doane Academy feel that Mr. Sanderson’s appointment will be instrumental in continuing Doane’s evolution from “Good to Great”, a path expertly set and led by our beloved Headmaster, John McGee, who will retire in June. Doane is deeply appreciative of Mr. McGee’s fifteen years of leadership during a period of exceptional growth and revitalization through which he has helped the school double in size, begin a major campus expansion, and solidify the school’s vision and commitment to strong, ethical leadership.

Mr. Sanderson possesses all of the skills and experience required to continue to strengthen Doane Academy’s already strong academic programs, and shares the school’s primary goal of graduating strong ethical leaders who will make a significant impact in the world around them.

In the coming months, Mr. McGee, Mr. Sanderson, the Board of Trustees and the school’s administrative team will work to ensure a smooth transition that will include introducing Mr. Sanderson’s family to the Doane Academy community. His wife Carolyn is an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley in Lawrenceville, NJ. Together they have three children, one a junior at Duke University, and twins who are juniors at Princeton Day School. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Sanderson and his family to Doane Academy.

Doane Academy is an Independent Episcopal Day School serving Grades PreK through 12. The school is committed to developing intelligent, capable young people within a school culture where students are known, loved, and strongly encouraged to realize their full potential. Doane Academy is located on the banks of the Delaware River at 350 Riverbank, Burlington, NJ. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.doaneacademy.org.