Dr. James Tracy of Sharon, Mass. has been unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as Rocky Hill School’s tenth Head of School.  

Currently, Tracy is Head of School at CATS Academy Boston. Prior to that he served as Head of Cushing Academy in Massachusetts, where he successfully managed a turnaround of enrollment and fundraising and led the school to international academic recognition. Tracy also served as Head of Boston University Academy, where he drove the 7-year-old school to achieve ranking by Boston Magazine as one of the top 10 private schools in Massachusetts and by Prep Review as the #21 private day school in the nation.  

Tracy has an MA and a PhD in History from Stanford University. He earned an MBA with a Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management and an EdM in Higher Education Policy, Planning, and Administration from Boston University. Tracy was also a Columbia University Klingenstein Fellow. He brings significant global experience, including fundraising in over 30 countries and consulting to international leaders. 

Current Head of School Peter Branch will continue to lead Rocky Hill School until his retirement in June 2016.

“This is truly a remarkable school, distinguished by the highest caliber of commitment and excellence,” said Tracy in a statement. “It is a distinct honor to be succeeding so eminent a school leader as Peter Branch. My wife, Jan, and I have been overwhelmed by the warmth of welcome extended to us on our visits to the school, and we are delighted to be joining the community. I have been immensely impressed by the love of and passion for Rocky Hill School that is universally expressed by parents, teachers, trustees, and alumni.”

Tracy was the author, editor, or contributor on many publications including, “Why Change? What Works? The NAIS Guide to Change Management” (NAIS Press, 2010), “A Guidebook to the NAIS Principles of Good Practice” (NAIS Press, 2007), “Christmas Unwrapped: Consumerism, Christ, and Culture” (Trinity Press, 2003) and “Direct Action” (University of Chicago Press, 1996). Additionally, he has had dozens of articles and reviews published in American Historical Review, The Boston Globe, Bostonia, Character, Education Week, Independent School Magazine, Journal of Education, Massachusetts Historical Journal, and The New York Times.

Tracy’s appointment marks the end of a thorough national search that began in early 2015 with support from the leading search firm, Carney, Sandoe & Associates. The search committee facilitated an inclusive process in which parents, faculty, staff and alumni gave input to identify the qualities needed in the school’s next leader.

“The Board is enthusiastic about Dr. Tracy’s ability to honor Rocky Hill School’s past, while moving the school forward,” Ande Frost, vice president of the Board of Trustees and head of the Search Committee, said in a statement. “We feel confident that Jim will support the school’s defining 21st century practices, philosophy, and principles, which include technology integration, global education, collaboration, creativity, experiential learning, independent study, and equity and inclusivity.”

Tracy’s appointment will begin July 1, 2016.