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The current head of school, Timothy R. Bazemore, will complete 14 years of leadership of New Canaan Country School at the end of this month. Bazemore will become Head of School at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Ore.
Peter O'Neill will be the interim head of school for the 2014-15 school year.
Macrae has extensive academic training and 26 years of independent school experience, the school said in a statement.
"He is an inclusive leader who is trained in collaborative problem-solving, a compassionate listener and a man of strong moral character," said the statement from New Canaan Country School. "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."
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.
In a recent state accreditation assessment, the school met or improved on 521 of 525 metrics.
Macrae increased the enrollment, endowment and diversity, and improved 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.
Macrae earned a doctorate of education in educational administration and a master's in educational administration from Teachers College-Columbia University; a master's in educational administration and policy analysis from Stanford University School of Education; and a bachelor's in economics and mathematics/computer science from Wesleyan University.
Macrae and his wife, Lynn Haviland Kennedy, have four children, Donny, Timmy, Celia and Jenna.
New Canaan Country School was founded as the Community School in 1916. 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.
New Canaan Country School is a coeducational day school serving students in Beginners (preschool) through Grade 9 from Fairfield and Westchester counties. For more information, visit www.countryschool.net.
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