Ranney School Names Patricia L. Marshall Assistant Head of School for Academics

Ranney School has named Patricia L. Marshall of Fair Haven, NJ as its Assistant Head of School for Academics, reporting to Head of School Dr. John W. Griffith. In this new role, she will be responsible for ensuring the execution of the school’s mission consistently across the school’s divisions and departments, and maintaining a cohesive academic program for students at the independent day school from Beginners (age 3) to Grade 12.

Patti has served as Head of the Lower School since 1999 and as Associate Head of Academic Administration since 2011. As Assistant Head for Academics, she will work closely with Division Heads and the Headmaster’s Cabinet to coordinate key areas of the school that span all divisions, including faculty recruitment and hiring, mentoring and orientation, curriculum development, professional development, faculty evaluation and growth, counseling, learning support services, strategic planning and accreditation, and admissions. She will also work with the CFO to advocate and allocate financial support for academic programming.

“As Ranney School continues to embrace innovative teaching and prepare our students to thrive in a more interconnected world, it is more critical than ever that we align curriculum growth and academic planning  more seamlessly across the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools,” said Dr. Griffith. “Patti has been integral to the school’s rapid development during her extensive career at Ranney, and in this new role she will provide the leadership and mentorship of faculty that will bring this school forward as we advance our strategic plans.” Ranney School has commenced its search for a new Head of the Lower School, and Patti will remain closely involved with this division that she has cultivated for 15 years, ushering the division and the students and teachers within it to a new leader with care. The division is well-poised for this transition; during Patti’s tenure, the division has seen the development of the Lower School library, world language programs, early childhood center, science labs for early childhood and elementary students, a new robotics program and ongoing curriculum and professional development.

Patti holds a Master of Administrative Science with a specialization in executive leadership and strategic planning from Fairleigh Dickenson University and a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio University. In 2012, she was selected to participate as a National Association of Independent Schools Fellow for Aspiring Heads of School. Prior to her career at Ranney School, she served as English Principal at the international school, Colegio Panamericano, in Colombia, South America. Since joining Ranney in 1999, she has led numerous initiatives, namely contributing a fundamental role in the school’s capital campaign, Foundations for Learning, which defined the case for the construction of a new elementary school academic complex in 2008. The new space and growth of the Lower School allowed for the development of academic life and student life, new opportunities for professional development and also set the stage for the school’s first strategic plan in 2010. Her work in planning and professional development have led to key leadership roles, including serving as campus chair for the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools Biennial conference held at Ranney School in 2012. She is also a member of NJAIS professional development committee. Patti has also been integral to numerous campus committees, including Middle States Accreditation, Education, Academic Technology, Strategic Planning, Parent Teacher Advisory and Enrollment Management. She has earned the Headmaster’s Outstanding Leadership Award, and is a member of the Blue and White Lifer Society and Cum Laude Society.

Jamie Price, President of the Board of Trustees, said, “Patti’s dedication and service to Ranney School as innovative leader, visionary and advocate for students and their educational experience has greatly benefited Ranney School. In this new role, I am confident that Patti will bring her passion for educational excellence and driving leading edge curriculum to the entire Ranney platform as we prepare for the school’s future.”        

About Ranney School:
Founded in 1960 and serving more than 800 boys and girls, Beginners (age 3) through grade 12, Ranney School is an independent, college preparatory day school located in historic Tinton Falls, New Jersey.  Under its motto "knowledge, vision, honor," Ranney School strives to provide an exceptional academic experience in which every child is known and valued. It emphasizes modern methods of instruction, small class sizes and traditional educational values. For more information, please call Ranney School at 732-542-4777 or visit www.ranneyschool.org. ###