Henry Fairfax
Each month RG175 does a "deeper dive" to get to know one of our Independent School colleagues. This month we are spotlighting Henry Fairfax. Henry serves as the Head of School and Dresden Endowed Chair at Concord Academy in Concord, MA. Before joining Concord Academy as its 11th head of school in July 2022, Henry was the founding head of school at Revolution School in Philadelphia.
A graduate of Drexel University, where he majored in marketing, Fairfax played four years of Division I basketball and served as captain his senior year, earning a trip to the NCAA NIT Tournament. He holds an M.Ed. in school leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and continues to serve as a university mentor within its Graduate School of Education. His approach to leadership is based in relationship, shaped by flexible thinking, and guided by mission. Fairfax lives on Concord Academy’s campus with his family, which includes his wife, Ivy, and their children, Brooklyn, Bryce, Cassius, Prime, and Apollo.
What’s your connection to RG175?
RG175 was the search firm Concord Academy selected to conduct its Head of School search.
If you had one thing to recommend to other candidates what would it be?
Try to focus on the people and process you engage during the search. What worked well for me had more to do with the people and process than anything else and this is where I think RG175 gets it right!
What do you enjoy most about your job as it pertains to Independent Schools?
I enjoy the opportunity to be a proximate leader which offers me access to what is going on in the lives of our students who will ultimately have the biggest impact in the world and the remarkable educators who are guiding them throughout their journey. As the Head of School, I have a million things happening at once, but I find tremendous joy and solace in knowing that all million of those things are serving our students.
Can you summarize your experience working with RG175?
Throughout the course of my leadership walk, I have had the opportunity to work with several wonderful people and solid firms who have placed me into various roles. RG175 felt different from the outset. I still recall my initial call with Tony Featherston. His understanding of the school's mission and balance of enthusiasm for the role and candor about the challenges and opportunities compelled me to take a closer look. The more I spoke with Tony, and then later Jerry and Doreen, the more excited I became about the process.
I also recall the semi-finalist interviews were more themed based and conversational which I thought led to a more conducive interview setting for me as a candidate and perhaps even the interviewers. Toward the end of the process, I became reluctant to move forward in the search despite growing a sincere fondness for the school. Again, Tony was the consummate professional and ultimately convinced me of the strength and thoughtfulness of the school's process. Regardless of the outcome, that was all I needed to hear.