Interim Head of School Opportunity

On July 20, 2026, the Board of Trustees announced that Leif Gustavson will step down as Head of School at the conclusion of the 2026–2027 school year. Leif remains fully committed to leading Marylhurst throughout the year and working with the Board, faculty, and staff to support a thoughtful transition.

The Board has begun a comprehensive search for an Interim Head of School, who is expected to begin in the summer of 2027. The search is an important opportunity to build on the school’s strengths, consider its future needs, and identify a leader who will advance Marylhurst’s mission while supporting the learning, growth, and well-being of its students.

The Head of School Search Committee is leading a thorough and inclusive process that will incorporate perspectives from across the Marylhurst community. Community feedback will help shape the position profile, inform the committee’s evaluation of candidates, and clarify the experience and leadership qualities most important for Marylhurst’s next chapter.

As the search progresses, families, faculty, staff, trustees, and other members of the community will have opportunities to participate. This page will be updated regularly with announcements, important milestones, and ways to engage in the process.

Questions or comments may be shared with the Search Committee at headsearch@themarylhurstschool.org

Interim Head of School Opportunity

The Marylhurst School is seeking an experienced and thoughtful educational leader to serve as its Interim Head of School beginning in summer 2027. We invite prospective candidates to learn more about our school, the opportunity, and the qualities and experience we seek in our next leader.

View the Interim Head of School Position Description: Interim Head of School Job Posting

Our Search Process

The search process will include:

  • Engaging an experienced search consultant

  • Gathering community input through surveys and conversations

  • Developing a position profile based on Marylhurst’s strengths, opportunities, and future needs

  • Conducting a regional search to identify a strong and diverse pool of candidates

  • Interviewing and evaluating candidates through a structured process

  • Inviting finalists to campus and gathering community feedback

Specific dates and additional opportunities to participate will be shared as the search progresses.

Search Updates

  • September 1, 2026

    Dear Marylhurst Families,

    We are pleased to share an update from the Head of School Search Committee.

    The selection of our next Head of School is an important opportunity to build on the strengths of The Marylhurst School and thoughtfully consider the leadership we will need for the years ahead. Our goal is to conduct a thorough, inclusive, and thoughtful search that reflects the priorities of our community while helping us identify the best possible leader for our school.

    An important step in that process is hearing from you. We invite all members of our school community to complete the attached survey and share your thoughts about the qualities, experience, and priorities you believe are most important in our next Head of School. Your feedback will help inform the search process and the development of the position profile that will guide our recruitment efforts.

    As the search moves forward, our plan includes:

    • Working with an experienced hiring consultant to guide and support the search process.

    • Gathering input from our community through surveys and interviews with faculty, staff, parents, trustees, and other key stakeholders.

    • Using that feedback, along with information about the school's current strengths, opportunities, and future needs, to develop a clear profile for our next Head of School.

    • Conducting a regional search to identify a strong and diverse pool of qualified candidates.

    • Interviewing and carefully evaluating candidates through a structured search process.

    • Inviting finalists to visit the school and participate in opportunities for members of the community to meet them and share their impressions.

    We know that transitions in leadership can bring questions, but the Search Committee and the Board of Trustees are approaching this work with confidence and optimism. We believe this process offers an exciting opportunity to reflect on where The Marylhurst School is today, where we hope to go, and the kind of leadership that can help guide us forward.

    We are grateful for the engagement and commitment of our community and hope you will take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your voice is an important part of this process, and we look forward to sharing updates as the search progresses.

    Thank you for your continued support of The Marylhurst School and for your partnership as we begin this important work.

    With appreciation,

    The Head of School Search Committee
    The Marylhurst School

  • July 21, 2026

    Hi, everyone.

    Hopefully, you have had a chance to read Fred's letter that was sent yesterday. I wanted to give everyone an opportunity to see it before following up personally.

    As Fred shared, earlier this summer I let the Board know that this coming school year will be my last at Marylhurst.

    This was not an easy decision. Like many significant life changes, it reflects both professional and personal considerations, including a desire to be closer to family in the years ahead.

    I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community over what will be four years. Working alongside such a skilled and dedicated faculty, staff, and Board has been deeply meaningful. I am proud of what we have accomplished together.

    Most of all, I am grateful to have known your children. They are thoughtful, kind, and creative young people, and it has been a privilege to be part of their learning journey.

    We have a year of important learning and work ahead. I remain fully committed to supporting our students, our faculty and staff, and the school while helping ensure a successful transition to new leadership.

    I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the summer, and I look forward to welcoming you back at the end of August.

    Leif

  • July 20, 2026

    Dear Marylhurst Families,

    On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am writing to share an important leadership update with our school community.

    After thoughtful conversations and planning, Leif Gustavson has informed the Board that the 2026–2027 school year will be his final year as Head of School at The Marylhurst School. While leadership transitions are always significant moments in the life of a school, we are grateful to have the coming school year to work together to ensure a thoughtful, well-planned transition.

    Leif has served as Head of School for the past three school years, leading our community through a period of both opportunity and challenge. Throughout his tenure, he has remained deeply committed to strengthening the educational experience for our students while staying true to Marylhurst's mission and values.

    During his time as Head of School, Leif has championed meaningful professional development opportunities for our faculty, expanded extracurricular enrichment programs for our students, and strengthened our commitment to fostering an inclusive community of creators, citizens, and explorers. One of the most significant accomplishments during his tenure has been Marylhurst achieving Candidate status for accreditation through the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS). This important milestone reflects the dedication and hard work of Leif, our faculty and staff, and the Board of Trustees, and positions our school well as we continue our accreditation journey.

    Like many independent schools, Marylhurst has navigated an evolving educational landscape over the past several years, and throughout this time, Leif has worked collaboratively with faculty, staff, and the Board to keep students at the center of every decision.

    The Board of Trustees has already begun the process of identifying Marylhurst's next Head of School. We will conduct a comprehensive search that includes both internal and external candidates, with the goal of finding the individual best equipped to build upon our strong foundation and lead Marylhurst into its next chapter. We are committed to a thoughtful and thorough process that reflects our mission, values, and long-term vision for the school.

    Over the coming months, we will share more information about the search process and opportunities for community engagement. We recognize that leadership transitions bring questions, and we are committed to communicating openly throughout this process.

    Please join me in thanking Leif for his leadership, dedication, and service to The Marylhurst School. We look forward to celebrating his many contributions throughout the coming school year while working together to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

    Marylhurst has always been strengthened by the dedication of its students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees. Guided by our mission and values, we are committed to building on the strong foundation of our school as we look forward to the future.

    Thank you for your continued trust and support.

    Warmly,

    Fred Wienberg
    President, Board of Trustees
    The Marylhurst School