Country Day School's Head Of School To Retire After School Year

MCLEAN, VA — The head of McLean's Country Day School will retire at the end of the 2021-2022 school year after a decade in the position.

Head of School Diane Dunne announced her June 2022 retirement in a letter to families on Friday. She has been associated with Country Day School for 35 years, starting as a teaching assistant at the school in 1987. After holding other positions at the school and elsewhere, she returned permanently in 2007 and became head of school in 2012. Over the years, Dunne said she has taught many children — even the children of the children she taught.

Some accomplishments she cited were Country Day School's ability to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping buildings and grounds well maintained, keeping programs up to date and play-based, and hiring and keeping experienced staff.

"It has been an amazing time. If anyone had told me years ago that I would have the opportunity to be Head of School at one of the area’s premier pre-schools, I would not have believed them," Dunne wrote. "I will be eternally grateful to the Country Day School Board of Directors for giving me this wonderful opportunity to carry on Mrs. McCormick’s important legacy for educating young children in a safe, happy, and nurturing environment."

The board of directors thanked Dunne for her contributions to the school's success.

"Diane's strength in guiding CDS through the pandemic, supporting and maintaining the safety of children, staff, and parents while ensuring an in-person, state-of-the-art early education, cannot be overstated, the board stated. "CDS is known for its positive culture and welcoming environment that has created beautiful memories and connections for alumni, parents, and staff fortunate to have been part of it. Diane's competence, warmth, connection to each child, and open communication style are essential qualities of the CDS culture and set the bar for the next head of school."

The board has created a search committee for the next head of school. The committee has already met to discuss how to attract top candidates. The board plans to keep the school community informed about the search process and will take input at several points.

Country Day School is a private preschool and kindergarten with a focus on play and the outdoors. The campus consists of two education buildings, nine playgrounds, a butterfly garden, nature trail, nature room, and library. Founder Dorothy McCormick purchased the main school building in 1972 to expand her Country Play School, which was later renamed Country Day School. It has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children since 1988.