In 1942, my father was appointed Headmaster of Tabor Academy, a school in Marion, MA, with an enrollment of 42 boys. (The job title “Head of School” was not used at that time.) For 36 years my father and his colleagues gradually increased the enrollment to 550. Also of note was the fact that during the last seven years of his Headship, he refused to accept a raise, preferring instead to have whatever monies were available to go to the faculty. Why do I begin this article by mentioning my father? After 36 years of leading Tabor Academy, the Board of Trustees informed him that he would be replaced. Although age, not a pandemic, was responsible for that change, the issue of turnover amongst Heads of School is not a recent phenomenon.
It is now over 45 years since my father was informed that he should retire. Because my memory of his being relieved of his responsibilities still lingers, that combined with multiple stories during the 2020-21 academic year about the turnover amongst the Heads of several independent schools, prompted me to write an article that would not only describe how challenging the job of a Head of…
