In winter 2022, the board of Veritas Classical Academy in Eau Claire, Wisconsin faced a difficult decision. Years earlier, one board member had been introduced to the concept of classical education by his daughter, who had begun teaching at a classical school in Texas. She frequently sent him articles, captivated by the beauty and inspiration she found in her school. She felt she had discovered something transformative for her students. Inspired by her passion, the board of Veritas Classical Academy was formed. Like many everyday Americans, they dreamed of bringing a school like this to their community and committed to making that dream a reality.
That had been back in 2019. Although a few significant world events delayed their plans, the board eventually chose to open the school in the fall of 2023. By the end of 2022, they had secured a charter, built strong community interest and a waitlist of students, and taken all the necessary steps to open the coming fall, but they had not yet hired a head of school. They had candidates with strong school leadership experience, but none with a strong grasp of the classical education at the heart of the board’s vision. Should they pick an acceptable headmaster and move forward, or hold out for a vision-aligned leader, delaying the school’s launch for a year? Delaying the launch would mean they had to let go of the hold on the property they had secured and risk losing the trust and commitment of families. Rather than devaluing their vision “playing it safe,” the board chose to prioritize vision. Despite considerable interest from families, donors, and community members, they decided not to commit to a facility or set a launch date without first securing the right head of school. This was an incredibly difficult decision, especially given the pressing needs of young children in the area who would remain without access to a low-cost classical education.
In fact, they had to make this same decision again the following year when no leader emerged and were on the verge of having to relinquish their charter the year after that. After multiple charter renewals, countless questions about the school’s opening, nearly two additional years, and a total of five years of effort, they finally found Jonathan Gray, an assistant headmaster from the Great Hearts charter network with strong leadership experience and deep knowledge of classical education.
Many schools are born from the power of a noble vision: the flourishing of children. Considerable time, effort, care, and resources go into turning that vision into reality. There is often a belief that because the vision is so good, the school cannot fail. However, time and again, we see schools struggle during those crucial early years because boards compromise on the most critical decision: selecting the head of school. No decision is more important, and no individual will have a greater impact on the school’s ultimate success or failure than the head of school.
There is more demand for excellent heads of school than there is supply, which is why having a clear and compelling vision is so essential. To build a great school requires perseverance and suffering. Cast a vision that is worth the wait, a vision so compelling that you would never dare to compromise.
At Arcadia, we were fortunate to partner with Veritas Classical and find them that great next leader. The board’s relief was palpable when Jonathan Gray signed on:
“Arcadia will forever hold a pivotal position in our school’s history book!! We are grateful for you and wholeheartedly believe that we wouldn’t have a headmaster without your help.
“I can share that throughout my interactions with your company, I have felt that you took care of us from all angles, kept to your timelines and made them clear to us, and provided the kind of services and help that we didn’t even know we needed.
“Pleased all around. Thank you and I hope this is not the conclusion of our time together.”
A board’s most important decision is who will lead their school and fulfill their vision. Arcadia builds our entire search paradigm around this conviction.