Meet Advent’s new Head of School
Carl Coombs to begin on July 1, 2027
Carl Coombs Named Next Head of The Advent School
The Advent School is thrilled to announce that Carl Coombs has been appointed Head of School, beginning July 1, 2027.
After an extensive year-long search that brought strong candidates from across the country, Carl was chosen for his deep experience in helping to lead Brimmer and May school in Chestnut Hill, but more importantly for his steady, empathetic leadership style, connection to pedagogy and social justice and passion for academic excellence. Carl embodies all of the qualities Advent was seeking in its next Head of School.
For the past five years, Carl has served as Assistant Head of School at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, where he has earned an outstanding reputation as an inspiring and collaborative leader who builds strong relationships with students, families, faculty, and staff.
Learn more about Carl.
The Head of School Search Process
The search for a new Head of School has been both an exciting and substantive process, and we are grateful to all members of our community who engaged with us in this effort. Below, you will find information on our Search Committee, a profile of Advent’s Interim Head of School Bill Wharton, and details on the search timeline and steps.
As we look ahead, the future of The Advent School is bright. Our faculty and staff’s dedication and talent —coupled with our community’s steadfast support — form the strong foundation upon which we will build together with Carl in the years ahead, providing continuity, institutional knowledge, and a shared commitment to our historic mission.
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Search Committee
The Head of School Search Committee is composed of Advent faculty and staff, current parents, and members of our broader community. We are deeply grateful for their commitment of time, insight, and energy to this important process.
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Meet the Interim Head of School
The Board of Trustees is excited to announce the appointment of Bill Wharton as the Interim Head of School for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. Bill brings decades of experience to the role, having served as Head of the Commonwealth School for more than 20 years.
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Process and Timeline
The search process took approximately 10 months to complete, involving Advent faculty and staff, current parents, members of our broader community, and the retention of RG175 as its executive search firm specializing in independent schools.