Dr. Paola Clark Announcement

Dear Alcuin Community,

 

On behalf of the Head of School Search Committee, I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Paola Clark as Alcuin School’s next Head of School. After an extensive nationwide search, the Search Committee unanimously recommended Dr. Clark to the Board of Trustees, who voted enthusiastically to appoint her as the successor to Walter Sorensen, beginning July 1, 2025. 

 

At every stage of the search process, our Committee prioritized finding a leader who will embrace and advance Alcuin’s distinctive educational blending of the Montessori foundation with the global perspective of the International Baccalaureate (IB) education. We sought an experienced leader who could inspire our community with a compelling vision for the future while embodying the values that define Alcuin. We are confident we have found all this and more in Dr. Clark. 

 

Dr. Clark brings over 20 years of distinguished experience in independent school leadership, both in the U.S. and abroad. Her career reflects a commitment to educational innovation, community building, and fostering a culture of inclusion and excellence. She is recognized for her strategic thinking, her ability to inspire collaboration, and her dedication to unlocking the potential in every member of a school community. Her philosophy aligns seamlessly with Alcuin’s mission of nurturing curious, courageous, and compassionate global citizens. 

 

This announcement is the result of months of diligent work led by our Head of School Search Committee in partnership with our consultants, Carney Sandoe. From a competitive and international applicant pool, the Search Committee reviewed and interviewed numerous outstanding candidates, narrowing the search to four exceptional finalists who visited campus. Through robust engagement with faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and students, and after careful deliberation, the Committee unanimously selected Dr. Clark. 

 

As we welcome Dr. Clark, we also take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to Walter Sorensen for his many years of visionary leadership. Walter has transformed Alcuin into the thriving institution we know today, and his legacy will continue to inspire us as we embark on this next chapter. 

 

Finally, I must thank and congratulate each member of the Committee, as well as the many members of our faculty and staff, and the students and parents, who gave so much time to the search process. The hours spent meeting with each candidate and providing invaluable guidance and feedback to the Committee made what can be a daunting decision into a collaborative and successful journey for Alcuin. The passion and engagement shown by every community member helped our school to recruit its next great leader. 

 

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Clark and welcoming her to the Alcuin community. We look forward to the bright future we will shape together under her leadership. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Tagg

Chair, Head of School Search Committee