On January 9, Head of School Randall Dunn announced Jenny Heath as Rye Country Day’s next Upper School Principal. She begins her tenure immediately, following six months of outstanding service as Interim Upper School Principal. 

Jenny Heath brings over 25 years of experience in independent school education, leadership, and curriculum development. Prior to stepping in as Interim US Principal in July, Ms. Heath taught Upper School English at RCDS for 20 years and became Assistant Principal in 2023. In her two decades at Rye Country Day, Ms. Heath has served in multiple roles. As Assistant Upper School Principal and then Interim Principal, she led a division of more than 400 students and 70 faculty members, overseeing academic policies, faculty development, strategic planning, and school-wide initiatives.

A trusted advisor, Ms. Heath served as a Grade 11 Dean for six years and Grade 9 Dean for five years, providing comprehensive academic and social support to students while designing robust grade-level programming. She also co-founded and coordinated the RCDS Ethics Project for six years with Cathie Bischoff, STEAM Director, Sarah Danziger, Classics Department Chair, and Clemmie Everett, US Humanities Department Chair. Her 20 years as an RCDS Upper School teacher span a range of English courses, including AP English Language and Literature, Honors English Seminars, and Independent Studies in Fiction Writing.

Ms. Heath’s leadership extends well beyond the classroom. She has contributed to multiple strategic and advisory groups, including the Strategic Plan Key Choices Committee, the Advisory Committee for the Head of School Search, and a task force focused on Character, Leadership & Ethics, and Public Purpose. As a two-time grant recipient through the RCDS Institute for Innovative Teaching and Learning, Ms. Heath helped develop digital responsibility and student leadership programs.

Ms. Heath holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University, where she captained the Varsity Women’s Sailing Team and received the Harvard-Bryanston Fellowship to teach in the United Kingdom. She later earned her Ed.M. in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to RCDS, her teaching career included positions at Dana Hall School and Concord Academy. A recognized leader in independent school education, Ms. Heath is an alumna of the NYSAIS Emerging Leaders Institute. Long celebrated at RCDS, she is the recipient of the Martin L. Kleinbard Award, which was given to faculty members who make a meaningful impact on the life of the School.

Supporting Ms. Heath as Assistant Principal is Ted Heintz, current Interim Assistant Principal and a 25-year RCDS veteran Upper School English teacher. In addition to excelling at teaching, Mr. Heintz previously served as the Dean of Students, a Dean in Grades 9 and 10, and a dedicated member of the Upper School Administrative team since 2006. Mr. Heintz’s love of learning is infectious and generations of students fondly remember spirited conversations in his class, trips to the Poconos, and lessons learned on the ice. Mr. Heintz holds a B.A. in English from Connecticut College and an M.A. in English Education from New York University.

RCDS is grateful to and proud of both of these veteran faculty members. Since stepping up to lead in interim roles, they have proven that they possess the skill, care, and judgment required to steer the Upper School. Their appointment to permanent roles is excellent news for our students, families, and faculty.