LFA Head of School Search

Dear Students, Parents, Alumni, Alumnae, Faculty, Staff, Life Trustees, AAB Members, Friends, and Other Members of the Lake Forest Academy Family,

A year ago I advised of the board's decision to extend John Strudwick's tenure as head of school through June 30, 2019. John's accompanying letter makes clear this will indeed conclude his transformational 18-year tenure at LFA. Highlights of LFA's progress and accomplishments under John's leadership since July 2001 include:

Strategic plans detailing how and where progress would be achieved – 2003, 2008, 2014, 2018 (in development)
Master plans depicting the strategic vision for LFA's school facilities – 2005 and 2016
Enrollment growth from 300 to 435 students
$90 million in Academy Fund dollars, endowment gifts and capital improvement funds, including $69 million of capital campaign funds
New construction, including West Village faculty housing, the Reyes Family Science Center, Ferry Hall dormitory for girls, the Student Union, the Fitzsimmons Athletic Wing and the Crown Family Fitness and Wellness Center
Renovation and improvements of existing facilities, including the Cressey expansion, Reid Hall classroom additions, renewal of academic space in Corbin and Korhumel, the Cowart Media Commons, new business offices in the Student Union, new and renovated faculty housing in several locations, and renovations of the Gate House, swimming pool, Glore Gymnasium, and MacKenzie Ice Arena
Balanced annual operating budgets with endowment draws well below 4%
Tripling the market value of the endowment
Extension of the maturity of LFA's outstanding tax-exempt bonds (approximately $16 million) by 27 years from 2024 to 2051

As we look to the impending leadership transition, we can confidently – and proudly – declare that the body of work contributed over nearly two decades by our retiring head of school and his many collaborators has positioned LFA to be able to boast the following:

A peerless national and international reputation and recognition as the number one private secondary school in Illinois
A transformative educational experience characterized by rigorous academics, a global outlook and Midwestern values
Alumni succeeding in college and in their careers; contributing to the strength, health and prosperity of their communities; and maintaining an active interest in Lake Forest Academy
A safe, secure and beautiful environment for all members of the LFA community and its neighbors

So, now we seek to preserve and enhance Lake Forest Academy for the future. The Board has selected a 14-member search team and charged it with conducting an international process of candidate recruitment, assessment and selection. They will recommend one or more candidates for selection by the board. Eleven are current trustees; three are life trustees; six are alumni; eight are parents of alumni; five are parents of current students; and two are faculty members of long tenure.

The search team has selected Triangle Associates – Heads Up Consulting to act as its search advisor. Patrick F. Bassett is their leader, and the remaining three principals of the firm – Richard Odell, Marc Frankel and Judith Schechtman – will also be very involved in advising our search team.

The search completion target is the end of the current school year, but we will take whatever time is necessary. In any event, two things reinforce our confidence. First, the work of John and Loring Strudwick, the board, the faculty and all the rest of the Lake Forest Academy family over the past 17 years make this school an extremely attractive and desirable place to live, work and study. Second, no effort will be spared to find the best head of school that can be found anywhere.

To keep you apprised of material developments as the search proceeds, we have added a section to LFA's website under the heading "About Us" entitled "Head of School Search." Pertinent search information will be available there, including an email address to communicate questions, comments and suggestions. We also invite you to suggest the name of any candidate you believe could be a worthy successor head of school.

With warm regards and profound thanks for all that you do for our proud and distinguished school – Lake Forest Academy.