Head of School-Elect Rob Hereford Appointed by Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees Chair Rachael Gambel announced on October 7, 2020 the appointment of Rob Hereford as Metairie Park Country Day School’s 10th Head of School. Mr. Hereford’s tenure will begin on July 1, 2021, the 93rd year of the School. He will succeed Interim Head of School Ian Craig.
“The job of the Search Committee was to find a Head of School who could lead Country Day with a vision for the future while maintaining a firm grasp on our history, traditions, and culture,” said Search Committee Chair Odom Heebe. "After careful consideration, we believe that Rob’s educational experience, strong moral compass, and warm, approachable nature are what Country Day needs. We are thrilled Rob will be joining us.”
A dedicated leader and educator with experience at four excellent independent schools, Mr. Hereford has had broad and meaningful engagement in independent school life and has a deep understanding of New Orleans culture. He has been the Head of School at Laguna Blanca, a PreK-12 school in Santa Barbara, California since 2014. However, his professional journey began at Houston’s Episcopal High School where he was a history teacher, basketball coach, and Associate Academic Dean from 1992-2003. In 2003, he left Episcopal to become the Upper School Principal at Metairie Park Country Day School, where he remained until 2006. From 2006-2014, he was the Upper School Head at Fort Worth Country Day School.
"Rob’s intimate understanding of teaching and learning, ability to lead through crisis, and thoughtful, steady demeanor make him an optimal fit to return to Metairie Park Country Day as Head of School," said Board Chair Rachael Gambel. "Those characteristics coupled with his known reputation for a collaborative work environment, make him a Head of School that will connect and engage with trustees and students, parents and faculty." Over Mr. Hereford's last six years at Laguna Blanca, he has been particularly successful in enhancing academic programs through changes to student schedules, addressing faculty salaries, helping launch new entrepreneurship and science research programs, and through partnerships with local public elementary schools.
Mr. Hereford holds a B.A. in history from Vanderbilt University and an M.A. in history from the University of Georgia. He was a Klingenstein Fellow in 2002 earning an M.A. in Private School Leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University. Over the years, he has participated in numerous professional development workshops and led many accreditation visits. Just like the students and faculty he oversees, he continues to grow, evolve, and learn, believing strongly in a collaborative growth mindset.
“I am thrilled and honored to be returning to Country Day to partner with the talented and devoted trustees, faculty, and staff to build upon over 90 years of educational excellence,” shared Mr. Hereford. “Country Day’s continued dedication to its mission of ‘building strength of intellect and strength of character’ in an environment filled with joy was obvious in every facet of my visit to campus, and the community’s balance of innovation and respect for tradition provide an incredible foundation for our work together. Amanda and I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and making many new ones as we come home to Country Day.”
Mr. Hereford was born and raised in Selma, Alabama where his experiences growing up in the aftermath of the Voting Rights March afforded him deep understanding and commitment to the multi-faceted work of diversity, equity, and inclusion. His wife, Amanda, attended Texas A&M where she played softball. Since, she has taught lower school science at Country Day as well as 7th-grade and 9th-grade science at various schools. They have three children, an adult son in Austin and two sons ages 12 and 10. They both love to cook, entertain, and enjoy campus life together.
300 Park Road, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 837-5204
Established in 1929, Metairie Park Country Day School is a coed private school for New Orleans area students in early childhood through Grade 12. From the elementary grades through upper school, the care and cultivation of each child comes to life in our exciting academic program, creative arts, and competitive athletic offerings.
Country Day accepts qualified students without regard to race, color, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin.
