DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Board of Trustees of Woodlawn School is pleased to announce the selection of Paul Zanowski as our next Head of School, beginning July 1, 2019. Mr. Zanowski comes to Woodlawn from Kenston Forest School in Blackstone, Virginia, where he currently serves as Head of School.
The selection is the result of an extensive national search conducted by the members of the Board-selected Search Committee and assisted by Educational Directions, a search consulting firm based in Providence, Rhode Island. The committee selected three candidates as finalists who visited Woodlawn in January and met with students, faculty members, and parents. Mr. Zanowski received the enthusiastic support of the Board of Trustees, who made the final selection.
“Paul Zanowski is a leader with a proven track record of implementing and enhancing programs consistent with Woodlawn’s mission and philosophy,” said Jim Folds, Chair of the Woodlawn School Board of Trustees. “His commitment to project-based learning, his passion for independent school leadership, and his deep administrative experience make Paul an excellent match for our school. We look forward to working with Paul in the drive to further distinguish Woodlawn’s unique value in the marketplace.”
Mr. Zanowski began his career in education at Lancaster Country Day School in Pennsylvania, where he worked for four years as an admission officer and history teacher. After an interlude in the publishing business (based in Singapore), Paul returned to the independent school world, spending eight years at Westchester Country Day School (NC) as a teacher, coach, and development associate. He then served for five years at Greensboro Day School (NC) as assistant upper school head and dean of students, followed by another five-year stint at Ranney School in New Jersey, where he was head of upper school.
In 2015, Paul was named Head of School at Kenston Forest School, a K-12 school of 345 students in southeastern Virginia. In his four years at that school, he has grown enrollment by 40% and introduced a variety of innovative programs, including several project-based learning initiatives. During Paul’s 26 years in independent schools, he has gained a deep appreciation for their transformational role in the lives of students, and he is well-equipped to lead Woodlawn into our next phase as a progressive K-12 institution.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Paul majored in International Relations. In 2009 he earned a Master of Public Administration degree from UNC Greensboro. Paul and his wife Cathy, an occupational therapist, have two grown children, Nicholas and Katie Rose, who both reside in the Carolinas. Paul will be taking the helm at Woodlawn as the school enters its 18th year, and as it graduates its 10th and largest senior class.
“My wife and I are honored and excited to join the Woodlawn community,” said Mr. Zanowski. “I look forward to building on Woodlawn’s strong foundation of excellence as we embrace the challenge of preparing students to thrive in a highly dynamic, unpredictable world.”
Woodlawn School thanks the Search Committee and the consultants at Educational Directions, as well as all of the members of the Woodlawn community who have contributed greatly to the search process.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Woodlawn is an independent school founded in 2002 and located just north of Davidson, North Carolina. Enrolling students in grades K through 12, Woodlawn is accredited by both the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and offers a challenging, project-based academic experience.
