Tom Ashburn

About Tom Ashburn

As Head of School, I’m building a community where belonging, clear fairness, shared accountability, and joyful scholarship prepare students whose passion, standard of excellence, and generosity of spirit serve the greater good. If you believe schools should be both uncompromisingly excellent and unmistakably human, let’s connect.For almost two decades as Newark Academy’s Middle School Principal, I guided a comprehensive renewal of the program. Enrollment climbed, our student body and faculty became markedly more diverse, and experiential learning took center stage through portfolios, student‑led conferences, and extended travel experiences. I oversaw the design and construction of the Wilf Middle School Building, introduced a team‑based faculty model, and embedded well‑being practices—from phone‑free days to a house system—that strengthened community culture.Earlier, I spent years in the Upper School classroom teaching English and coaching multiple sports, experiences that ground my leadership in the day‑to‑day life of students and teachers. Summers saw me wearing an entrepreneurial hat as Assistant Director of Newark Academy’s camps, where we reimagined offerings and tripled enrollment. These varied roles all share a through‑line: the conviction that joy and rigor, when held together, unleash remarkable growth.Holding an M.Ed. in Servant Leadership, I now focus on stewarding the Academy’s 252‑year legacy while charting its next chapter—through strategic planning, strong partnerships, and an upcoming capital campaign centered on student experience. My aim is simple: ensure Newark Academy remains a place where future‑ready learning and genuine human connection thrive side by side.

Experience

1. Head of School

   Newark Academy

   Jul 2025 — Present

Education

• Saint Elizabeth University

  Master of Education - MEd, Servant Leadership

• Marist University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, English Language and Literature/Letters

  1988 — 1992

Skills

• Public Speaking
• Student Counseling
• Curriculum Development
• Mentoring
• Editing
• Middle School
• Coaching
• Curriculum Design
• Non-Profits
• Fundraising
• Teacher Training
• Staff Development
• Educational Technology
• Tutoring
• Student Response Systems
• Higher Education
• Student Financial Aid
• Staff Management