Dr. Robert Macrae Selected as New Canaan Country School’s Fifth Head of School

Dr. Macrae brings a unique combination of skills and characteristics to the school. He has extensive academic training and 26 years of independent school experience. He is an inclusive leader who is critically trained in collaborative problem-solving, a compassionate listener and a man of strong moral character. He has been a teacher, coach and mentor. He is an athlete, outdoorsman and a world traveler, but above all he is a champion for children.

Dr. Macrae currently serves as Head of School for Cincinnati Country Day School, a preK-12 school. He previously held several senior administrative roles at The Pingry School in Martinsville, N.J. including Assistant Headmaster, Head of the Middle School and Head of the Upper School.

 

During his time at Cincinnati Country Day School, Dr. Macrae has improved the school by all measures of success. In a recent state accreditation assessment, the school met or improved on 521 of 525 metrics. Dr. Macrae led the school through dramatic improvements, increasing enrollment, endowment and diversity, and improving the school’s college admissions and reputation. Just a few of the many initiatives he spearheaded include a world-renowned technology program, curriculum mapping, strategic planning, Mission Skills Assessment, a new professional development program, and revision of the school’s mission statement. He oversaw two major building projects and the launch of a $15 million campaign with $12.5 million raised to date.

 

Dr. Macrae earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and an M.A. in Educational Administration from Teachers College-Columbia University; an M.A. in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University School of Education; and a B.A. in Economics and Mathematics/Computer Science from Wesleyan University.

 

Dr. Macrae serves on the Board of Trustees for Breakthrough Cincinnati and previously served on the Board of Trustees of the National Breakthrough Collaborative. He is a member of the Ohio Association of Independent Schools and served as the association’s president from 2010-2013 and vice president from 2008-2010. He serves on the board of Queen City Foundation and previously served on the board of the Fund for Independent Schools, Cincinnati. He has also previously held committee and board leadership positions for The Winston School, New Jersey SEEDS, The Darcy School and Cora Harshorn Arboretum.

 

He and his wife, Lynn Haviland Kennedy, have four children, Donny, Timmy, Celia and Jenna. 

 

Dr. Macrae's appointment is the culmination of a communitywide effort and many months of intensive effort by the Search Committee, advised by our Parent and Faculty/Staff Advisory Committees.

Dr. Macrae succeeds Timothy R. Bazemore, who will complete 14 years of leadership of New Canaan Country School at the end of this month. Mr. Bazemore will become Head of School at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon.

New Canaan Country School was founded as the Community School in 1916, under the leadership of co-principals, Miss Effie Dunton and Miss Edith Dudley. In 1936, the Community School moved to Ponus Ridge and established itself as the New Canaan Country School. Soon after, Henry Welles became headmaster. He retired in 1963 and was succeeded by George E. Stevens. In 1979, Nicholas S. Thacher became the school’s third headmaster.