School names new head
Brown has been the interim
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The Board of Trustees of the Saratoga Independent School named Lisa Brown as its Head of School.
Brown has been serving as the interim Head of School since July.
“We’re thrilled to have a veteran independent school administrator at the helm at SIS,” said Jesse Schwartz, chair of the SIS Board of Trustees. “She is uniquely qualified to navigate SIS forward through continued growth, further elevating our rigorous academic program and enrichment opportunities, and strengthening our ties with the local community.”
Schwartz chaired the board’s search committee, which completed a thorough, comprehensive process over the last several months to identify the school’s new leader, a news release said.
Prior to coming to SIS, Brown served as Associate Head of School at Doane Stuart School from 200017. During her tenure, she also served as Interim Head of School from 2012 to 2014 and as Head of the Lower and Middle Schools from 1993-2000.
Additionally, Brown has taught pre-school, elementary, and upper school classes and has received the prestigious honor of being named an Edward E. Ford Foundation Fellow by the National Association of Independent Schools Leadership Program for Aspiring School Heads. Brown attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon, after which she received a bachelor of arts degree in Art History from the University at Albany and a masters degree in education in Reading from the College of Saint Rose.
Brown is focused on expanding educational opportunities for students by forming new partnerships with local organizations, the release said. In December, the school partnered with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Skidmore College to host a week-long residency of the Decoda Chamber Ensemble at SIS. Students and world-class musicians composed a new school song and performed it as part of a concert held at the historic Bethesda Episcopal Church in downtown Saratoga Springs.
“SIS is a school with a strong culture, a place to
which people form powerful emotional attachments. I find it particularly exciting to be involved in the school at a time when there are so many significant thresholds to be crossed and so much creative energy and collaboration fueling our work,” said Brown. “I am honored to serve the SIS community and look forward to all that we can accomplish together.”
SIS will add sixth grade this fall, seventh grade in fall 2019 and eighth grade in fall 2020. SIS — located on a 60-acre campus at 459 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs — currently serves 140 students in preschool through fifth grade.
“Lisa Brown’s experience and passion educating children has brought a new level to the already challenging curriculum,” said SIS parent Julie Fuller of Saratoga Springs. “By partnering with professional arts organizations, SIS is enriching learning for its students. We are thrilled to have her leading our school.”
Saratoga Independent School is currently in the midst of its enrollment process for the 2018-19 academic year, with openings available in preschool through sixth grade. Families interested in learning more may contact the school to schedule a visit.