Head of School Search

On August 10, 2026, Head of School Melissa Grubb announced her intention to retire following the 2027-2028 school year, St. Andrew's Episcopal School's 75th anniversary year.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is conducting a search for its next permanent Head of School, who will be hired for a July 2028 start date. The Board of Trustees has appointed a Search Committee to manage the search process, with the support and assistance of a national search consultancy.

We are searching for an individual who will uphold the values and integrity of St. Andrew’s, embody our mission and core values, embrace our Episcopal identity, bring bold, innovative ideas and energy, and lead our community into the next chapter of our school.
 
Community engagement is key to this process. We hope members of our school community will take advantage of the many upcoming opportunities to share their perspectives and we look forward to listening and learning from one another.
 
This page will contain links to all community-wide communications relating to the search, as well as FAQs and information about the Search Committee. We will update this page with new information regularly. We invite your feedback and questions throughout the search.


Search Committee

List of 10 items.

Community Communications

List of 2 items.

  • Letter from Melissa Grubb: August 10, 2026

    August 10, 2026

    Dear St. Andrew's Community,
     
    One of the greatest privileges of my life has been serving as Head of St. Andrew's Episcopal School. Today, I write to share a personal decision that comes with deep gratitude, much reflection and profound appreciation for this remarkable community.
     
    After much consideration, I have shared with the Board of Trustees my intention to retire as Head of School following the 2027–2028 school year, which will mark the 75th anniversary of St. Andrew's Episcopal School.
     
    As I thought about how best to conclude a career spanning more than forty years in independent education, I realized that retiring during St. Andrew's 75th anniversary year feels especially meaningful. It is a fitting moment for the school to look to the future with optimism, while giving me the opportunity to reflect with deep gratitude on the extraordinary people who have made St. Andrew's such a special place to lead.
     
    Independent schools have shaped my life since the 1970s. First, as a student, and then as an educator and leader. Independent schools have given me the privilege of walking alongside students as they discover who they are, partnering with exceptional educators, and working with families who believe deeply in the transformational power of education. Of all the schools that have been part of my journey, St. Andrew's holds a uniquely special place in my heart.
     
    Together, we have accomplished so much. We have strengthened our academic program, expanded opportunities across our Four Pillars, nurtured a culture of belonging, launched innovative initiatives that prepare students to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world, and continued building a community rooted in curiosity, courage, compassion, and faith. Every success has been the result of people working together with a shared commitment to our students and to the future of this remarkable school.

    While retirement is still two school years away, making this announcement now allows for a thoughtful, deliberate, and graceful leadership transition. I have complete confidence in our Board of Trustees and know they will conduct a careful and comprehensive search to identify an outstanding leader who will guide St. Andrew's into its next marvelous chapter.
     
    Until then, my focus remains exactly where it belongs: on the exciting work ahead. We have much to accomplish together. I look forward to celebrating St. Andrew's 75th anniversary, building on the momentum of our strategic vision, completing the final phase of fundraising for our Athletics Complex & Student Union, and advancing the campaign for our transformational new Middle School and STEM Center. I am more committed than ever to achieving these milestones - not only because of what they will mean for St. Andrew's, but because they will position the school, and the next Head of School for continued success. My hope is to leave St. Andrew's stronger than ever, with a solid foundation and tremendous momentum for the leader who will guide its next chapter.
     
    Upon retirement, Tom and I look forward to spending more time in Fort Worth with our two young grandchildren, traveling, and embracing adventures that have patiently waited for this next season of life. But for now, my heart and my energy remain here in Austin and fully invested in St. Andrew's.
     
    Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving your families and this extraordinary school. It is an honor I have never taken for granted, and I am excited for all that we will accomplish together over the next two years.
     
    Faithfully,

    Melissa Grubb
    Head of School

  • Letter from Sean Greenberg, Board Chair: August 10, 2026

    August 10, 2026

    Dear St. Andrew’s Community,

    On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Melissa for her extraordinary leadership and outstanding service to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School over the past five years. We are immensely grateful for Melissa’s tenure and stewardship of the school over her tenure. As a member of the search committee that selected Melissa, I vividly recall her interviews and the task that lay ahead. Through Melissa’s tireless work ethic and exceptional leadership, our beloved school expanded programming, aligned curriculum, invested in faculty and students, and executed the historic transformation of our campus with the addition of our magnificent Highlander Hall -- a lasting symbol of her vision for the future of our community.

    Always thinking of what is best for St. Andrews, Melissa gave a two-year runway to both continue her mission and, most importantly, to seamlessly transition to our next leader. Although we want her to stay, Melissa’s decision has our complete support.

    The Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring a thoughtful and seamless leadership transition. We will soon establish a Head of School Search Committee comprised of past and present members of the Board. We will engage a nationally recognized executive search firm to assist us in developing a comprehensive leadership profile, conducting a nationwide search, and recruiting an outstanding pool of highly qualified candidates. Throughout the search, we will carefully evaluate candidates before inviting a select group of finalists to campus. Members of the St. Andrew's community will have opportunities to meet these finalists, learn about their vision for independent education, and provide valuable feedback as part of the process. Following this comprehensive evaluation, the Board will select the next Head of School.

    Transparency will be a guiding principle throughout this journey. We are committed to keeping our community informed at every major milestone and will communicate regularly as the search progresses, through email and a dedicated webpage related to our Head of School search.

    Rest assured, our school stands on firm footing as we cross this milestone. Melissa and I have spoken for many hours about the future of St. Andrew's and the baton that she will pass to our next head is one of a school on its ascent. Our next head will inherit opportunities rather than problems. The opportunity to complete our fundraising and the construction of a transformational new Middle School and STEM Center. The opportunity to steward a thriving school with a full enrollment of thoughtful, bright students into a future abound with technological advancements and academic pathways. The opportunity to leverage the best facilities in the region to achieve athletic success across all sports with committed, competitive young athletes. The opportunity to guide a best-in-class fine arts department to even higher heights. And, most importantly, the opportunity to further the kind, servant-leader mentality that defines the St. Andrew’s student.

    Melissa has left an indelible mark on our school, and we are profoundly grateful for her leadership, vision, and countless contributions. At the same time, I am filled with optimism about what comes next. We will celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary next year and celebrate the momentous milestone as we close her leadership chapter and confidently look towards an exciting future.

    Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and commitment to our school.

    With gratitude,

    Sean Greenberg
    Chair, Board of Trustees

FAQs

List of 6 items.

  • What is the role of the Head of School Search Committee?

    The Search Committee is responsible for managing the search process, identifying and interviewing candidates, and making a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees.  The work of the committee will incorporate extensive input from members of the St. Andrew’s community, including faculty, staff, parents, students and alumni. Ultimately, the Board of Trustees will make the final Head of School selection.

  • What is the expected timeline of the search process?

    The new permanent Head of School will be announced in the spring semester of 2028, with a start date of July 1, 2028.

  • How can I contact the Search Committee?

    Email sasheadsearch@sasaustin.org to get in touch with the chairs of the Search Committee. 

  • How can members of the St. Andrew's community participate in and remain informed during the search process?

    Community engagement is a critical component of the search process. A community-wide survey will be emailed to all faculty and staff, families, alumni, and Upper School students to provide feedback on the direction of the school and to help the Search Committee identify the qualities, skills, and experience that the incoming Head of School should possess. Participation is key to ensure a broad perspective is incorporated into the decision making process.  In addition to these surveys, there will be opportunities for virtual meetings with the search consultancy and on-campus opportunities to meet with finalist candidates.
     
    Our Head of School Search page will be updated as events occur, and we will distribute communications related to the search on a regular basis.

  • Who is on the Search Committee?

    In independent schools, the Board of Trustees is tasked with hiring the Head of School. The Search Committee comprises trustees both past and present, and members of the committee can be found on this page. Members of the Search Committee will work in tandem with a national search consultancy specializing in independent schools.

  • What is the role of the Board of Trustees?

    St. Andrew's Board of Trustees is entrusted with the great responsibility of operating the non-profit entity of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Members of the Board serve staggered three-year terms and two-thirds of our members must be Episcopalian.  
     
    The Board hires the Head of School and is responsible for helping manage the assets and finances of the school, undertaking significant facilities projects, and overseeing the strategic initiatives for the School. In addition, the Board also oversees and supports the school’s fundraising activities. All work is conducted using a traditional committee structure. The Head of School is responsible for the implementation of the mission and values of the school as well as the daily operations of the school, including such duties as employing faculty and staff, developing the curriculum, enrollment decisions and strategies, and enacting rules of conduct or discipline.
     
    The Board meets in order to conduct our business including regular Board Meetings held on alternating campuses, an annual audit, and producing the Long Term Strategic Plan for the school at regular intervals.

Lower & Middle School

Upper School