<p>Just got word today that the headmaster of the Hill School will retire in June 2012.</p>
<p>So, I am wondering, how do BS go about choosing new headmasters? What is the usual career path?</p>
<p>I am familiar with the college president search, but not sure how it is similar or different from a BS.</p>
<p>FWIW, the headmaster had been there for 19 years, I think, and he is only the 10th headmaster, so I gather the average tenure is quite long.</p>
<p>It will take a special person to fill Mr. Dougherty’s shoes based on his speech and love for the Hill School. Very touching speech.</p>
<p>Many schools use a search firm like Carney, Sandoe & Associates, and the search for a Headmaster can take over a year. A school can ask the search firm for candidates with specific credentials (15-20 years experience, has been a Head already, has experience in progressive schools, etc.) The search firm goes through its list of candidates and identifies those who meet the most basic criteria of the school’s wish list. Once the initial pool of candidates is winnowed, schools usually have a larger search committee who extensively interview all the semi-finalist candidates; first by phone, and later the finalists are invited on campus. (generally there are 3-5 finalists.) Campus visits can last several days and involve the candidate meeting with and being interviewed by faculty, administration, parents, alumni, board memebers, etc.</p>
<p>As to the career trajectory of a Headmaster, I think they all start out as teachers. (Harking back to the days when teachers were called “masters” and the one in charge of them was the “Head Master.” )There are different paths to the top job, but most become Department Chairs, then Academic Deans or Assistant Heads before making the leap to the big job. there are also institutions like Klingenstein in NY, that offer special classes and seminars about school leadership to help those working their way toward that career goal learn the complexities of the job.</p>
<p>This is just one possible path. There may also be back channels that the rich folks know about but I certainly don’t.</p>
<p>I do know that schools take their searches very seriously because a good Headmaster can stay with a school for many decades.</p>
<p>Albion - thanks for that reply. It does seem that headmasters have long tenure then. I know my college alma mater has gone thru several presidents in the last 20 years, and that doesn’t seem to be unusual. (i.e. one person selected to head up a capital campaign, then leaves. The next bulks up the faculty, etc.)</p>
<p>I would imagine it takes a long time to find the right fit for a position where you live on campus and need to consider the vibe/traditions of the school.</p>
<p>Well, if I can be a little tounge in cheek here, the college president system is closer to a democracy and the prep school headmastership is closer to a monarchy. 
College presidents tend to be more controversial, and Headmasters or more often quite beloved.</p>
<p>College presidents often are brought in specifically to effect change or to shake up a system. Or they’ll make dynamic changes of their own accord and (un)wittingly enrage the student body/alumni/board/chancellor and out they go. Headmasters are brought in to maintain and strengthen the culture of a school (things are a little looser in the world of progressive schools, as you might suspect.) Of the 7 prep schools I had job interviews at this year, 4 had headmasters beyond or near the 20 year mark. I can make my little jokes, but having lived through a change of Head once, I’m happier at schools with a long-standing Head.</p>