CFS Announces Troy Baker, Ed.D., as Next Head of School

November 11, 2024

 

Dear CFS Community,

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Head of School Search Committee, I am pleased to announce that Troy Baker, Ed.D., has been unanimously selected as Church Farm School’s next Head of School, beginning July 1, 2025. We are confident that Dr. Baker will continue to advance Church Farm School’s mission and core values while building on the legacy of the Shreiner family, fourth Head of School The Rev. Edmund K. Sherrill and Ms. Tiffany Scott, who is currently serving as Interim Head of School. Ms. Scott’s decade of service as Church Farm School’s Director of College Guidance and Strategic Initiatives has been instrumental in elevating the profile of Church Farm School with college admissions officers and prospective families, and we are thrilled that she will continue to lead the school as Interim Head through June 30, 2025.

 

Dr. Baker’s appointment follows an extensive nationwide search that drew a pool of impressive candidates. The search was facilitated by Carney Sandoe & Associates, recognized education search consultants. In May, the Board formed a search committee consisting of nine current Directors, two CFS faculty members and Carney Sandoe & Associates. Over the past five months, the committee conducted extensive interviews and gathered feedback from faculty, parents, students and alumni. Following these on-campus and virtual interviews, the Board convened to select a new Head of School who exemplifies Church Farm School’s core values, is committed to our students’ continued success and will work to implement the long-term vision of the school.

 

Dr. Baker has extensive experience in faith-based and independent school education. He currently serves as Upper School Director at Breck School in Minnesota, an Episcopal PreK-12 college preparatory school, where he leads innovative academic programming and works with key stakeholders to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Prior to Breck, he spent six years at Pace Academy in Atlanta, GA, as Director of Student Life and Director of Athletics, and seven years as Director of Athletics at Lausanne College School in Memphis, TN. Throughout his career, Dr. Baker has demonstrated a deep commitment to developing and implementing progressive policies that promote a safe and supportive learning environment, build and retain a high-performing faculty, drive enrollment and strengthen collaborative partnerships and ensure equitable access to academic opportunities. 

 

Dr. Baker holds a B.S. in education from Wright State University, an M.A.T in Secondary English from Brown University and an Ed.D. in educational leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University. A passionate and visionary educator, Dr. Baker’s experience in fostering cultures of excellence, driving strategic operations, articulating clear visions and galvanizing communities toward common goals makes him well-suited to lead Church Farm School. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Baker is the proud father of Mckenzie (25), Logan (22) and Dylan (20). In addition to spending time with his children, Dr. Baker enjoys fishing, football and basketball.

 

Says Dr. Baker, “I am proud and honored to be the fifth Head of School for Church Farm. I am driven to carry forward the tradition of excellence that the school has set since 1918, and eager to join the Church Farm community and to work alongside such a passionate and talented group of educators. It’s a great day to be a Griffin!”

 

We are excited for Church Farm School’s future under Dr. Baker’s leadership, in collaboration with our current leaders, faculty, and staff, to drive our mission forward.

 

Please join me and the CFS Board of Directors in welcoming Dr. Troy Baker as our next Head of School.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Vincent J. Napoleon
CFS Board Chair and President