Introduction

The Leffell School is a premier kindergarten through twelfth grade independent Jewish day school, set apart by its comprehensive, intellectually rigorous curriculum that empowers and cultivates each student in mind, body, and soul. Located on two lush, 25-acre campuses in Westchester County and drawing students from the Tri-State area and metro New York City, The Leffell School serves more than 800 students and attracts families who choose from among many of the top schooling options in the world. Through the teaching of Jewish values, interdisciplinary critical thinking, and openness to new ideas, The Leffell School inspires its students to achieve academic and personal excellence, preparing them for college and lives of purpose, leadership, and impact.

The Leffell School is a caring community that fosters the joyful practice of Jewish life. The school brings together families from a wide range of Jewish backgrounds and affiliations, united by a shared commitment to Jewish learning, community, love of Israel, and tradition. For nearly 60 years, The Leffell School has instilled in its graduates the confidence to navigate life's journey with a strong moral compass and to apply their passions, knowledge, and skills to the betterment of the Jewish people, the United States, Israel, and the broader world.

Following thirteen years of exceptional leadership under Dr. Michael Kay, who has been selected to lead UJA-Federation of New York, The Leffell School seeks a Head of School who can build upon an extraordinary foundation while helping define the school's next chapter. This is a rare opportunity to lead a thriving and mission-driven institution at a moment of both stability and possibility—preserving all that makes Leffell special while shaping its future in a rapidly evolving Jewish and educational landscape.

Facts and Figures

Founded: 1966

Enrollment: 832

• Lower Division (Kindergarten-5th): 378
• Middle School (6-8th): 176
• High School (9-12th): 278

Employees: 215

Average Tenure of Faculty: 12 years

Operating Budget: $35M

Annual Fundraising: $4M

Endowment: $38M

Accreditation: New York State Association of Independent Schools

On the Web: https://www.leffellschool.org/

Our Mission

The Leffell School, a Kindergarten through 12th grade independent Jewish day school, is set apart by our comprehensive, intellectually rigorous dual curriculum that empowers and cultivates each student in mind, body, and soul. Through the teaching of Jewish values, critical thinking, and openness to new ideas, we inspire our students to achieve academic and personal excellence, preparing them for college and the ever-changing world beyond.

We are a kehilah, a caring community that fosters the joyous practice of Jewish life. We instill in our graduates the confidence to navigate life's journey with a strong moral compass and apply their passions, knowledge, and skills to the betterment of the Jewish people, the United States, Israel, and the world.

Leffell students distinguish themselves at the highest levels across academics, scientific research, Jewish learning, athletics, leadership, and the arts. Recent accomplishments include:

• 175 of approximately 300 Global Seal of Biliteracy awards in Hebrew awarded nationally were earned by Leffell students.
• Leffell students have achieved national recognition in science and engineering, including advancing to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world's premier pre-college science competition, and earning multiple top finishes at CIJE Innovation Day and Hackathon competitions.
• In 2026, The Leffell Mock Trial team won the Westchester County Championship, captured the regional title, and advanced to the New York State Finals for the first time in school history, ultimately placing fourth in the state among approximately 300 competing teams.
• Leffell students have earned national recognition in Moot Beit Din competitions, including first-place finishes in the Hadar Institute's Maimonides Moot Court Competition, which combines Jewish learning, legal reasoning, and ethical analysis.
• Leffell is the only Jewish high school in New York State that competes in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), with student-athletes earning numerous league, section, and postseason honors across multiple sports.
• Leffell's interscholastic chess team finished 13th nationally out of 189 independent school teams, with four students qualifying for the National Championship Tournament.
• Leffell students designed, launched, tracked, and recovered a high-altitude weather balloon that reached more than 90,000 feet above Earth through the school's SPACE Program.
• Leffell students have earned regional recognition in theater and music, including a Metropolitan High School Theater Award and selection to All-State and All-County music ensembles.
• The Class of 2025 was admitted to more than 120 colleges and universities, with graduates matriculating to institutions including Brown, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Harvard, Princeton, Boston University, University of Chicago, Cooper Union, Barnard/JTS, University of Virginia, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, and many others. Approximately one-quarter of the class will participate in an Israel gap-year program prior to beginning college.

The Leffell Difference

Few Jewish day schools combine the scale, reputation, resources, and community impact of The Leffell School. For generations, Leffell has served as both an educational institution and a central pillar of Jewish life in Westchester County and the greater New York metropolitan area.

Leffell occupies a unique place within Jewish education. As an independent Jewish day school, it brings together families from across the Jewish spectrum in a community rooted in Jewish learning, values, and peoplehood. Students learn alongside peers with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and practices, developing both a strong sense of Jewish identity and an appreciation for the richness and diversity of contemporary Jewish life.

The school's influence extends well beyond its campuses. Leffell graduates can be found in leading universities, professions, Jewish organizations, and communities throughout the United States, Israel, and beyond.

A loyal, generous, and multigenerational network of alumni, parents, grandparents, trustees, and supporters remains deeply invested in the school's future and its mission of educating the next generation of Jewish leaders, thinkers, and citizens.

The Search

The Leffell School enters this search from a position of considerable strength. The school benefits from strong enrollment, a healthy balance sheet, a substantial endowment, and a deeply committed philanthropic community, with annual fundraising expected to exceed $4 million next year. Supported by a dedicated Board of Trustees and talented leadership team, the school has the resources and institutional capacity to pursue ambitious goals and invest meaningfully in its future.

The coming years present exciting opportunities for continued growth and innovation. The school is advancing a significant renovation of its Lower School campus, investing in its academic and co-curricular programs, and continuing to strengthen its position as a leading destination for families seeking an exceptional Jewish and secular education as well as a meaningful community experience.

These efforts build upon a long tradition of excellence while ensuring that the school remains responsive to the evolving needs of

students, families, and the broader Jewish community.

The Opportunity

The Leffell School seeks a visionary and relationship-driven leader to build upon an extraordinary foundation and help shape the next chapter of its growth.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Head of School provides overall leadership for the institution and is responsible for advancing its mission, educational vision, and strategic priorities. The Head oversees all aspects of school life, including academics, Jewish life, enrollment, fundraising, finance, operations, and community engagement.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an accomplished leader to partner with a talented and dedicated team of educators, administrators, trustees, parents, and alumni who are deeply invested in the school's success. The next Head of School will have the opportunity to articulate a compelling vision for the future, strengthen an already distinguished institution, and help ensure that Leffell continues to thrive amid a changing educational and communal landscape.

Stakeholders expressed a desire for a leader who can build on the school's many strengths while thoughtfully addressing important opportunities related to enrollment growth, affordability and accessibility, faculty and staff support, academic excellence, and the continued innovation and evolution of the student experience. Equally important will be preserving the warmth, relationships, and sense of community that have long distinguished The Leffell School.

The next Head of School will serve as the chief ambassador for The Leffell School, building meaningful relationships with students, families, faculty, alumni, trustees, donors, and the broader Jewish community while advancing the school's mission and strengthening its reputation as one of the nation's leading Jewish day schools.

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring a deep appreciation for Jewish education and a demonstrated ability to lead a complex, mission-driven institution with vision, humility, and integrity. The Head of School will balance a commitment to academic excellence with the joyful practice of Jewish life, build community across a broad range of Jewish backgrounds and perspectives, and inspire the community around a shared vision for Leffell's future. Desired qualifications and attributes include:

• Demonstrated success in a senior leadership role within an educational, Jewish communal, or mission-driven organization.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire confidence across diverse constituencies.
• A proven ability to recruit, develop, inspire, support, and retain outstanding faculty and staff.
• Strategic leadership experience, including the ability to articulate vision, lead change, and execute effectively.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including experience overseeing budgets, long-term planning, and institutional resources.
• A proven ability to serve as the public face of an institution, partner with trustees, engage alumni, and cultivate donors to advance institutional priorities.
• A commitment to academic excellence, student growth, and innovation in teaching and learning.
• An appreciation for the diversity of the Leffell community and an ability to foster a culture of belonging, respect, and collaboration.
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, humility, resilience, and a genuine love of working with students and families.
• A visible, warm, and accessible leadership style aligned with the values and culture of The Leffell School.

Details

Benefits and Compensation

The Leffell School offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation package for this role. The salary range for this role starts at $500,000. The benefits package includes tuition assistance, medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as a generous retirement plan.

Application Requirements 

DRG is conducting this search on behalf of The Leffell School. Interested candidates should submit, as soon as possible, materials including the following:

• A cover letter
• A current resume
• A statement of leadership philosophy

Application materials should be uploaded directly on the DRG website by visiting The Leffell School listing.

Application Status: Accepting Applications Start date: July 2027

This position description is based upon material provided by The Leffell School, an equal-opportunity employer.