Bill Wharton joins Advent as 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 school year. Bill’s official start date is Monday, August 25; he will be on campus during Faculty Work Week meeting with The Advent School’s teachers, staff, and Senior Administrative Team.
Bill brings decades of experience to the role, having served as Head of School at the Commonwealth School in Boston’s Back Bay for over 20 years, and, more recently, as the Interim Head of School at the Schenck School in Atlanta and consultant to the launch of Urban Achievers, a tuition free, sports-centric high school in Boston.
The Board chose Bill given his deep expertise as a Head of School, as well as his experience working through similar challenges to those we face today. Bill is deeply rooted in the Boston independent schools network and brings with him a passionate belief in the value of small schools. As a member of The Advent School’s Board of Trustees from 2012-2018, Bill has a clear understanding of the importance of an Advent education to our community.
The Search Committee and Board conducted a thorough survey of our internal and external constituencies. Working with the search firm Carney Sandoe and Associates, we conducted a nationwide search and, together with the firm, screened 25 candidates. Five candidates, both internal and external, were selected to be interviewed by members of the Search Committee and Board. The finalists met with members of the faculty and staff who relayed their feedback to the Search Committee and Board, and the Committee conducted reference checks on the finalists. All feedback was taken into consideration before moving forward.
The Board recognizes that the faculty and staff continue to be the backbone of Advent, and we are grateful beyond words for their engagement and leadership these past few weeks. They have continued to prepare Advent to open its doors and welcome our students in September, and have done so with all of the consistency, steadiness, and community spirit one could hope for.
As we look ahead, the future of The Advent School is bright. Our faculty and staff’s dedication and talent form the strong foundation upon which we will build together in the months ahead, providing continuity, institutional knowledge, and a shared commitment to our mission.
With the addition of our new Interim Head’s fresh perspective, proven leadership, and extensive expertise, Advent is uniquely positioned to grow stronger and more resilient. This partnership between seasoned educators and experienced leadership will not only sustain our values but also enhance our capacity to thrive in the years to come.
Due to a prior commitment, Bill’s day-to-day presence at 15 Brimmer Street will begin in mid-September. Until then, Bill will meet regularly via Zoom with Advent’s faculty, staff, and board. Upcoming issues of @Advent will offer details on when families can meet and welcome Bill in person.
We are excited to work with Bill in the year ahead and hope you will find some time to get to know him in the coming weeks and months.
