A message from the Head of School and Board of Trustees
Dear Advent Community,
The summer of 2025 marked a significant milestone, as it brought my head of school contract to a close. After thoughtful reflection and collaboration with the Board of Trustees, we agreed that this was the right moment to transition leadership at The Advent School.
As I support my own Advent graduate through his final year of high school, this moment of transition feels deeply aligned—both personally and professionally. It is a time to lead with intention and to honor the journey that has brought us here.
Over the past two years, The Advent School has achieved remarkable benchmarks that reflect its enduring commitment to progressive education and joyful, rigorous learning. Together, we completed our decennial AISNE re-accreditation, launched a bold and visionary Board- approved strategic plan, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Early Childhood Center, and completed the final phase of the Lower and Upper School program division. These milestones represent more than accomplishments; they are a testament to a community deeply rooted in its mission and always looking ahead with purpose.
As we now begin a new chapter in Advent’s continued evolution, the strategic plan will serve as a compass, guiding the school toward its 65th anniversary and beyond. It’s a plan that reflects the voices of our community and charts a future rooted in excellence, equity, and innovation. I have every confidence that the school is ready for its next inspired leader—someone who will carry this vision forward with fresh energy and unwavering commitment.
The Board of Trustees, under the thoughtful leadership of Chair Jennifer Carrion P’27, has developed an intentional transition plan and launched a national search for both an interim leader and Advent’s next Head of School. A national search is an exciting opportunity for each member of The Advent community to lend their voice to the next leader of Advent. In the coming days and weeks you will be invited by both Senior Admin and the Board to learn more about the work ahead.
I’m deeply grateful to the Senior Administration Team, who have already begun preparing for the year ahead, who remain steadfast in welcoming our families back this September with warmth and enthusiasm, and who champion for both Advent and my leadership journey alongside them.
As I look ahead to the next chapter in my own journey, I want to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation to all of you in this extraordinary community. Thank you to the families, faculty, staff, friends—and most of all, to the fiercely curious and compassionate children (many now fully grown!) who have been the heart of my work here. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to serve the Advent School and to walk alongside you all in pursuit of this school’s bold Mission.
The energy, passion, and unwavering commitment of this community have made every day meaningful. We have accomplished so much together, and I leave with a full heart, knowing the school is in very capable hands of our faculty, staff, and of course our wonderful little lions. The leadership team we’ve built is mission-driven, collaborative, and visionary—ready to shepherd Advent’s next chapter with integrity and care.
Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in what we do together. I carry with me the lessons, relationships, and shared purpose that make The Advent School so special.
With flexibility, advocacy, curiosity, hope, courage, compassion, and love,
Nicole A. DuFauchard P’20
Head of School and Goldstein Family Chair
Dear Advent Community,
Please join us in thanking Nicole for more than a decade of service to the Advent School. Advent is grateful for her leadership of our school, and in the larger education community.
Under Nicole’s leadership, the school successfully navigated an unprecedented pandemic, demonstrating agility and care in its response. She guided the community through the implementation of a weekly testing program and a safe, timely return to in-person instruction, while many other schools were still balancing the complexities of remote learning. Emerging from the pandemic, Nicole led the reaccreditation of the school by the Association of Independent Schools In New England (AISNE).
A respected leader in the field of education, Nicole’s stewardship has had a lasting, positive impact on The Advent School community. She will be deeply missed.
With the conclusion of Nicole’s term, the Board supports her pursuit of new opportunities and has initiated a search for a new Head of School. We have retained Carney Sandoe & Associates to assist us in the search for an interim Head of School for the 25-26 school year. Carney Sandoe is a Boston-based educational recruitment consulting firm that connects K–12 schools with teachers, administrators, and school leaders. The search committee will be led by Advent parent and board member Lauren Goff P'28, in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
We will simultaneously begin with the process of requesting proposals to hire a consultant to assist with a search for a new Head of School, effective immediately. The Board will work to make this transition as smooth as possible for staff, faculty and families, and expects to be able to announce the new interim prior to the start of the school year.
The Board is 100% committed to ensuring a seamless transition over the course of the summer and remains steadfast in its commitment to identify an interim and new Head of School who will continue to uphold Advent’s mission.
We are also deeply grateful to Advent’s faculty and staff for their dedication to providing our children with an education that is both rigorous and joyful, and one that empowers them to be skilled and confident changemakers.
We welcome your participation as we embark on this exciting search together! Should you have questions about or throughout this process, please direct them to Advent Board Chair, Jennifer Carriòn.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank Nicole for her dedication, vision, and the immeasurable heart she brought to Advent. She leaves behind a school community stronger, more purposeful, and well-prepared to carry forward the important work ahead.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Carriòn P’27
Chair, Advent School Board of Trustees
