By Khalida Sarwari
Erik Carlson has been selected as the new head of school at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School, the school administration announced in October.
Carlson, who currently serves as the associate head of school at Menlo Park-based Phillips Brooks School, will assume the role in July. He will succeed Harry McKay, who plans to work as a consultant in the field of education after 16 years at the helm of Saint Andrew’s.
“The [search] process made it clear to the search committee and the board of trustees that Erik has both an innate respect and belief in our whole child philosophy as well as the enthusiasm, intellect and vision to help us take the next big step forward in our school’s history,” Matt DiNapoli, board chair, said in a release.
Carlson offers several years of administration experience at private schools. He has been at Phillips Brooks School, considered a highly regarded independent school, since 2010. Prior to joining Phillips Brooks, Carlson served as the head of middle school at Hamlin School, a K-8 girls day school in San Francisco. He has also served as dean of students and boarding at Woodside Priory School in Woodside and assistant dean of students at Kent School, an Episcopal college preparatory school in Connecticut.
Carlson has participated in the National Association of Independent Schools Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads and the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders Stanford Graduate School of Business.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, and holds a master’s degree from New York University.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Saint Andrew’s community and am excited to bring my energy and experience to its leadership as we work in partnership to realize our vision for the future of Saint Andrew’s,” Carlson said.
Carlson was the unanimous choice of not only the board of trustees, but also the search committee, which consisted of trustees, faculty, staff, parents and the rector of the church.
“I am thrilled at the selection of Erik Carlson as our new head-elect,” said Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church rector Channing Smith, who is also the chairman of the board of trustees. “He has a mission-driven style of leadership that will assist us greatly with our fundraising efforts and established an instantaneous connection to our students. I find in Erik a terrific partner who will help us to realize the great plans in our future.”
Carlson and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters, ages 12 and 9, who attend Castilleja and Phillips Brooks, respectively, according to Saint Andrews.
He will be the eighth head in Saint Andrews’ 53-year history.
Carlson to take over head of school role at Saint Andrew’s this summer
