Meet the new leader of Brookstone, the largest private school in Columbus
The largest private school in Columbus has hired a new leader.
Brookstone School’s board of trustees concluded a nationwide search Friday by announcing the appointment of Henry Heil as its next head of school for 834 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade, effective July 1. He will succeed the retiring Marty Lester.
Heil is the head of upper school at Episcopal School of Dallas in Texas. He previously was the assistant dean of students and founding director of residential life at Woodberry Forest School in Virginia. He has 25 years of teaching experience.
“In Henry Heil, we have found a Head of School who will honor Brookstone’s founding and its commitment to our core values,” Jason Branch, chairman of Brookstone’s search committee, said in the news release.
Branch described Heil as “someone who models a community mindset; a person with relentless intellectual curiosity; a moral leader with a strong sense of integrity and fairness; and an infectiously passionate and positive leader who inspires across all constituencies. We are thrilled to welcome Henry and his family into our community next summer.
“We want to thank Marty Lester for his leadership over the past 7 years, for his continued commitment to Brookstone School, and for his willingness to work closely with the Board, the administration, and faculty to execute a seamless transition for our community. Thanks to Mr. Lester’s leadership, Henry will assume his new role from a position of great strength and positive momentum.”
The committee recommended Heil out of more than 40 applicants, 12 candidates who were interviewed and three finalists who visited the school and met with faculty, parents, board members and current and former administrators, Brookstone communications director Connie Mansour told the L-E.
“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to join the Brookstone family,” Heil said in the news release. “Brookstone’s story is remarkable. The devotion to the school’s mission and core values, the commitment to the care and well-being of the whole child, and the extensive focus on developing leaders who are ready to serve and succeed all come together to create a special environment that I am excited to join.”
Heil earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Davidson College, where he played varsity baseball, and a master’s degree history from the University of South Carolina.
