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HEAD OF SCHOOL SEARCH THE WHITE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Bethlehem,

July 2019

APPLICATION PROCESS HISTORY AND MISSION Inquiries can be made to Tom Olverson at the email In 1886, Bishop William Niles founded St. Mary’s address below. Candidates should submit a letter of School, an Episcopal School for girls. The school interest, a resume, one confidential reference opened its doors to eight boarders and fourteen (additional references will be required at the finalist day students in a large mansion in Concord, New stage), and a statement of educational or leadership Hampshire. The property was purchased with philosophy by May 1, 2018 to: money donated by Mrs. A. B. B. Tilton and other Tom Olverson, Consultant generous residents in the Concord community. In Resource Group 175 1936, under the leadership of Headmistress [email protected] Dorothy McLane (Aunt Dot), the school moved to 617-599-3111 the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire on the Seven Springs Estate. The estate was destroyed by a fire in 1964, but there was determination to rebuild and a main building and two dormitories were constructed. The school admitted boys in the 1970’s and changed its name to The White Mountain School. Though the school has gone through many iterations, “The constant is this belief: capable young people deserve to be challenged in a small school that develops the body, the mind and the soul in an uplifting environment…” (The First Hundred Years).

To learn more about The White Mountain School: www.whitemountain.org Head of School Search 231

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Today, The White Mountain Compassion School (WMS) is a thriving, co- We are fully present. LOCATION AND ed, diocesan school and has an We honor our stories. CAMPUS enrollment of 125 students. Its We give of ourselves. mission is succinct and lived: The White Mountain School’s By translating these values setting is stunning. Every vista has We are a school of inquiry and into specific behaviors, the its own breathtaking beauty. The engagement. Grounded in our White Mountain mission is area is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Episcopal Heritage, we prepare alive and vibrant, fully on Hiking, swimming, golfing, and inspire students to lead lives display every school day, kayaking, skiing, mountain biking, of curiosity, courage, and referenced in meetings as and rock climbing provide compassion. guiding principles, and not recreational experiences. The only inspirational but also school’s intentional use of large These words are not mere aspirational. Behind this lived windows invites the outdoors platitudes or vague notions; mission is the belief that the inside and indeed, reflects the they are rich with meaning and flourishing of an individual is importance of the natural world in intentionality. White Mountain intimately linked to the health the school’s program and ethos. gives definition to “curiosity, of a community. In 2015, the Littleton is a five-minute drive courage, and compassion,” and NEASC Visiting Accreditation from campus and is the in doing so, makes public the Committee commended the quintessential New England town. standards by which it measures school “for the faculty, With excellent restaurants, an itself: administration, and Board opera house, a movie theater, and commitment to the mission quaint Main Street stores for Curiosity and the many manifestations shopping, Littleton provides We start with questions. of it in the lives of the enough city entertainment to We seek truth and beauty. students.” complement the outdoor activities. We venture beyond. Boston is a two and a half hour drive while Montreal is only a Courage three-hour drive. Hanover, the We speak our truths. home of and a We fail forward. center for cultural and intellectual We stand up to be counted. events, is an hour away from the school. 2 2

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The White Mountain School campus has 310 acres, not all contiguous. The buildings and fields are on fewer than fifty acres. The campus has fourteen buildings and two fields. The mostly white buildings blend well with the surrounding beauty of the landscape. The hub of the campus is the McLane Building named after Dorothy McLane who led the move of the school to its present location from Concord in 1936. The McLane Building houses the Head of School office, other administrative offices, the Lovejoy Chapel where the community gathers four times each week for Morning Meeting, the dining hall, the McGoldrick Library and Research Center, numerous departmental offices, classrooms, and more. Its recent renovation has made it more attractive and inviting, and throughout the day it hosts a whirlwind of activity - meetings, discussion groups, dance rehearsals, study, meals, and more.

The Steele Science Center houses two large science labs as well as math classrooms and the most recent new building, the Catherine Houghton Arts Center, provides ample space for a superb fine arts program. A black box theater, a gym mainly used for climbing and fitness, faculty houses, four dormitories, The White Mountain School Farm and a network of perimeter trails round out the picturesque campus. A pond on campus is used for swimming as well as research for some of the science classes. Also on campus is a spacious Head of School House, which houses student gatherings, faculty get-togethers, alumnae/i and trustee functions. Plans call for the construction of an additional dormitory, which will also provide a necessary upgrade to faculty housing. The timing of construction is uncertain, but funds are being raised and this project remains the Board’s top priority. 3 123

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one student said, “If my friend doesn’t sweep the floor, I can’t mop it.” As a result, the sense of entitlement that can be present at some independent schools is absent at White Mountain. Morning meeting is yet another opportunity to strengthen community. Students and faculty give talks, make announcements, organize the day, and celebrate important events. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion gave a stirring and captivating talk about the lesser known heroes in the Civil Rights movement. Student voice is valued and sought after. When SCHOOL come from seven different countries renovation plans for the McLane COMMUNITY and represent about a fifth of the Building were being considered, student body. Most of these students were invited to review the From the moment a visitor sets students come from China. The plans and provide input. foot in the McLane Building, she student-faculty ratio is 5:1, and this feels the warmth that defines this year the school will be graduating 39 The sense of community at The school. With 125 students and 26 seniors. Approximately half of the White Mountain School creates a full-time faculty, the school is student body receives need-based culture of acceptance. Students intentionally small, and it is evident financial aid. can be quirky, they can have that it wants to remain so despite unusual passions, and they can the clear challenges that this size The students are friendly, forge their own identities without presents. In the minds of students passionate, and grateful for the the fear of bullying or isolation. and adults, “small” is what makes opportunity to be mentored by such The energy that many students at White Mountain work. It creates a a dedicated group of teachers. other schools expend creating a close student-teacher relationship Evening extra-help sessions are persona is, at White Mountain, and a palpable sense of community common. Seniors talk at great directed toward discovering a that is rarely seen in independent length about their LASR passion, making an authentic schools. Students, teachers and (Leadership, Art, Service, Research) friend, trying something new, and administrators all call each other projects, which are required for all ultimately becoming the person by first names. graduates. One student focused her the student wants to become. project on sustainability and talked White Mountain is a safe place to Within the student body, 104 are with confidence and intelligence fail, grow, and flourish. boarding students and 21 are day about what the school can do to students—a ratio that helps to improve its commitment to Of course, what makes this all maintain the school’s commitment environmental sustainability. possible is a faculty that fully buys to boarding. The school has a into the White Mountain way. The remarkably diverse student body, The sense of community at White care and support teachers provide which is a real asset, especially Mountain is not just a result of its students is extraordinary, even by considering the school’s location in small size. There is an intentionality standards. They northern New Hampshire—not a that clearly promotes work together to find the best racially or ethnically diverse area of interdependence. Students do ways to reach their students, and the country. International students chores side-by-side with faculty. As as noted above, they go the extra 4 412

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PROGRAM very bright but who feel like round mile to help their charges be In many respects White Mountain’s pegs in square holes at larger, more successful. 59% have advanced academic program looks like that of a traditional schools. Student-driven degrees and many are standard college preparatory school. inquiry manifests itself in the LASR attracted to the school Students take the traditional college program, which requires students to because of its location and the prep classes in the five majors as well construct a semester-long inquiry importance of the outdoors in as AP and Honors classes and also have into a topic of their choosing. In defining the school program opportunities to delve into the arts, some cases, seniors can spend their and culture. Although fully on both fine and performing. Of particular second semester away from campus board with the school’s note is a well-established dance working on their LASR project. In emphasis on student-driven program that receives rave reviews addition, all White Mountain inquiry, teachers hunger for from students. Reflective of its students are required to participate more professional Episcopal roots, the school requires in week-long Field Courses which development and support so that students take at least one course typically take students off campus that they can do a better job of in religion and philosophy for to study a topic in depth. Field advancing “curiosity” as a vital graduation. A distinctive element of Courses for the 2017-18 school year element of the school’s the academic program is the include: Art History and Theatre in mission. As is the case with Sustainability Studies Department City; The Geography and most boarding schools, time is offering courses in AP Geography and Geology of Iceland; Everyday a constraining factor and the AP Environmental Studies. Feminism: An Examination of lack thereof inhibits the level of Gender, Power and Sexuality; and collaboration both teachers Throughout the curriculum, White The Physics of Climbing. Even and administrators would Mountain incorporates an exciting regular classes have a student- ideally like to see. approach to education developed driven inquiry component (mini- under Tim Breen’s leadership: student- LASR) in which students construct a driven inquiry. Based on significant question that they then solid research that answer through research and study. demonstrates the importance of students Of particular note is the Outdoor generating their own Education Department, considered questions, student-driven one of the leading programs of its inquiry exists side by side kind regionally and nationally. The with a more traditional Learning Center and the English as a college prep program to Second Language program provide give The White Mountain students with additional support. School a distinctive program in keeping with The co-curricular program at The the requirements for White Mountain School is rich and success in the 21st varied. Many students participate in century. The interscholastic sports while others development of a choose opportunities like rock curriculum and pedagogy climbing, kayaking, and in which questions are as snowboarding, all of which take important as answers advantage of the spectacular reflects the school’s outdoor opportunities the region intent to fulfill its provides. A variety of student- mission. It also fits with directed clubs rounds out a robust the kind of students The program of activities that allow White Mountain School students the opportunity to pursue attracts, many of them their particular interests.

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Enrollment Management, the engaged. Under the leadership of Chief Financial Officer, the the present Chair Deborah Director of Development and Lowham, P’18, ’20, and with the Alumnae/i, the Academic Dean, help of the administration, the the Director of the Learning Board has made excellent Center/Director of Professional progress in clarifying its role, Growth and the Director of College understanding the Counseling/Director of Diversity responsibilities of trusteeship, and Inclusion. The team meets and contributing “time, talent, weekly and has open, transparent and treasure” to ensure the conversations about emerging success of the school. The issues. The Head of School office is endowment stands at $2.3 in the McLane Building and gives million. that person visibility with students and faculty. Under the leadership The Board and administration are of the Director of Development, guided by an ambitious strategic the school has significantly plan approved in 2016. The increased its annual fund (by more school aspires to be the best than 20% since 2015) and is on the small boarding school in the verge of its first successful and country with fully engaged comprehensive capital campaign, students constructing their own raising more than $4.8 million learning. The pillars of the plan dollars to date. are strengthening intellectual excellence, creating an even The White Mountain School is more vibrant community life and ADMINISTRATION governed by an 18-person Board of becoming a financially AND GOVERNANCE Trustees who gather at the school sustainable school so that future three times a year as is standard generations of students and The White Mountain School has been practice with many boarding teachers may benefit from the ably headed by Tim Breen since schools. Trustees serve on White Mountain experience. The 2010. Tim’s programmatic vision committees, and committee chairs recent momentum of the school developed in concert with faculty are in close contact with the has engendered an optimistic over several summers has set the appropriate administrator. The sense that the school will achieve course for the school going forward. Board is active, friendly, and great things. Although there are clearly issues related to the implementation of student-driven inquiry, trustees, administration and faculty endorse the forward-thinking direction and its potential as a differentiator in the marketplace. Since Tim became the Head of School, the enrollment has grown to capacity.

As a small school, White Mountain has a lean administrative staff. The Leadership Team consists of the Head, the Associate Head of School/Dean of Students who oversees the non-academic program, the Associate Head of School for 6 123

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CHALLENGES AND boarding school teachers. Finally, remain. There are clearly areas of what do the results of student- the operation that are OPPORTUNITIES driven inquiry look like? How will understaffed. Working with the the school know it is being Board of Trustees, the next Head The White Mountain School is an successful in this initiative? Can of School will need to find extraordinary community of these results be presented as an financial resources to help the acceptance and growth. It is a alternative but legitimate path to school maintain its present plant healthy community where authentic excellence? The next and provide funds for the support relationships are valued as a key Head of School will need to of faculty and the enhancement component to the success of address these foundational issues of program. students. But as with all schools, and questions in order to advance White Mountain has its challenges. the school’s ambitious vision. The White Mountain School is a The following is not meant to be an gem, but it is not well known. The exhaustive list but rather a more Key to the success of The White new Director of Enrollment nuanced explanation of the critical Mountain School is its small size. Management and the entire challenges facing the school. Few stakeholders want to grow Admissions staff have received

the school significantly (more than high marks for making White Although all stakeholders embrace ten or so students). In addition, Mountain more visible in the student-driven inquiry, there is a the facilities simply could not world of boarding schools. But widespread perception that the handle significant growth in more will need to be done in reality does not match the enrollment. The limited order to get the school on aspirations. In particular, the enrollment, though, puts pressure prospective students’ radar foundation for the development of on the budget and this pressure is screens. this educational approach is weak. exacerbated by a majority of Like all boarding schools, White students on financial aid. In short, Mountain has high teacher there is simply not a lot of turnover, perhaps even more than margin. Despite significant one might see at other more progress in deferred established boarding schools. The maintenance over the last eight turnover makes it difficult to create years, a number of projects a sense of continuity in developing programs. The absence of an onboarding program for young teachers just out of college exacerbates the problem. Professional development funds are limited, and as is the case with many boarding schools, the lack of time inhibits faculty collaboration as well as innovation. Limited facilities also restrain the development of programs that would be ideal for student-driven- inquiry. And of course, with any major change initiative, administrators must pay attention to faculty morale as a necessary precondition for establishing long- lasting change- not an easy task with the many demands made on

7 Head of School Search The Common School Head of School Search The White Mountain School QUALITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE Resource Group 175 and The White Mountain School realize that there is no candidate who possesses all the qualities of the perfect next Head of School. Moreover, the successful candidate must possess a baseline of leadership skills in order to successfully navigate the complexities of any headship. However, for this particular opportunity there are some critical qualities that should be noted as potential candidates consider this position.

The ideal candidate will appreciate and embrace the essential elements that make White Mountain the special place that it is: a vibrant and diverse community where students feel accepted for their individuality, a forward-thinking approach to education with a focus on student-driven inquiry, an appreciation for the outdoors and all that it has to offer, and an appreciation for boarding school life and the value it provides for students.

In addition, he or she should be a champion for the school, a cheerleader both internally and externally, for what the school is and what the school aspires to be. A positive, optimistic persona will be essential in maintaining faculty morale, raising funds, and effectively marketing the school. As with any leadership position, inspired communication with all stakeholders will go a long way in helping the school realize its ambitious vision. An entrepreneurial spirit will be a plus.

Finally, the ideal candidate must have management skills and an eye toward systems and structures that influence faculty and student behavior. He or she must understand the critical preconditions for change and the existing as well as potential capabilities of the school. Systematically, thoughtfully, and sequentially addressing these issues will set the stage for success.

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