A
SPECIAL
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR
MARCH 2025
A MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL | SCOTT KENNEDY
Dear Norfolk Collegiate Community,
This summer I will begin my 30th year at Norfolk Collegiate School. During my time here I have served as dean of students, upper school head and, for the last 17 years, as head of school. With such a milestone approaching, it was appropriate to give thought to the next chapter for me, my family and the school.
I have informed the Board of Trustees that I will be retiring from Norfolk Collegiate School at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. This timeline allows the Board of Trustees to conduct a thorough and thoughtful search and build a successful transition for the next head of school.
Much has changed over the past three decades at the school. Starting with the quaintest of changes, opening email accounts and launching a website, to the more complex, building the Meredith Center, constructing the middle school facility and expanding an ever-changing instructional program, each facet of change strengthened the mission and moved the school forward. Each change, no matter how large or small, has enhanced both the Collegiate Education and Collegiate Experience.
I am fortunate to have been part of these multitude of changes which have been guided by the institution’s constant focus on the mission. None of this would have been possible without the tireless work of the faculty, staff and Board of Trustees who have served this school over the years. During my tenure, I have seen first-hand how their dedication has made Norfolk Collegiate the wonderful school it is today and will be tomorrow.
This school is a great place to be. The next head of school will benefit from the strong community surrounding the school. I look forward to helping make this leadership transition as positive as possible. In the meantime, I also look forward to celebrating the Classes of 2025 and 2026, welcoming new families to our community this fall and watching our students take full advantage of what the school offers every day.
Sincerely,
Scott G. Kennedy Head of School
A MESSAGE FROM BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR | TAYLOR FRANKLIN ’00
Dear Norfolk Collegiate Community,
The Board of Trustees was recently informed by our Head of School, Scott Kennedy, that he desires to step down at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. We are grateful to Scott not only for his leadership, but for giving us appropriate time to plan for a smooth leadership transition. Scott has been a part of Norfolk Collegiate since 1996, serving as the Head for 17 years. Serving alongside Will King prior to taking the helm following Will’s retirement, Scott has done an exceptional job leading NCS not only within our school community but in the Norfolk community and beyond. Norfolk Collegiate stands tall among the excellent Pre-K through 12th grade independent schools in Virginia. He has represented the school on numerous fronts locally and on the state level where he served multiple terms on the Board of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools as a director and Chair of the Board. Because of Scott, Norfolk Collegiate is well positioned to move into the next chapter under the next Head of School.
Since being informed of Scott’s decision, I have formed a Search Committee from the Board. The Search Committee is composed of the following Trustees:
Taylor Franklin - Chair
Thomas Minton - Vice Chair
Brian Clements
Pam Crenshaw
Trina Stewart
The chief responsibility of the Board is to hire and partner with the Head of School, their only employee. Our search will be guided by a search firm and will conduct a comprehensive and inclusive process in the search for the next Head of School. After interviewing several nationally recognized educational search firms, The Education Group (TEG) was selected for their experience, accessibility, and unparalleled knowledge of the Virginia and national independent schools. Consultants Margaret Delk Moore and Bob Veto will guide the Search Committee through the
process. Both of our consultants have extensive leadership experience in independent schools and are supported by more than 30 colleagues at TEG who work together in support of the development of a strong candidate pool.
The consultants will visit campus Tuesday and Wednesday, March 25 and 26, to meet with various constituents within our school community, including trustees, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and current students. A survey will be sent on Friday, March 28, to the Collegiate community. This survey is designed to gain input regarding the professional and personal attributes to be sought in the next leader of Norfolk Collegiate. This survey, along with the campus visit, will help our consultants develop a position profile highlighting the personal and professional qualities our community seeks in its next Head of School.
Throughout this process, there will be a Head of School Search page on the NCS website for the most up-to-date information on the search. You may send information and candidate recommendations directly to Margaret Moore and Bob Veto. We are grateful for the time and talent the members of the Search Committee will be giving to this process. We ask that you respect the committee’s dedication to confidentiality by thoughtfully engaging with Margaret and Bob through the surveys, conversations, and meeting opportunities they provide while on campus. Your voice is important in this important process for our school.
I am confident The Education Group will facilitate a fair, transparent search for all constituents resulting in a dynamic community leader for the next chapter of Norfolk Collegiate.
Chair, Head of School Search Committee
OUR MISSION: Norfolk Collegiate develops critical thinkers, doers and explorers through innovative, engaging instruction in an inclusive and supportive learning community.
OUR VISION: Innovative learning for a changing world.