Jayne Geiger has been named Interim Head of School by The Rumson Country Day School (RCDS) Board of Trustees. She fills the position held by Whitney Slade, who is leaving RCDS to pursue other opportunities for himself and his family.
Geiger, who served as Head of School at the Far Hills Country Day School from 1992 to 2014, has family in the Two Rivers area. She joined the RCDS board shortly after retiring from Far Hills Country Day. She began her term as Head of School at RCDS on July 1.
“Filling a vacancy at the top of an independent school administration is perhaps the most challenging task a board can undertake,” said John Devlin, president of the RCDS Board of Trustees. “Having Jayne willing and able to step in makes that transition easier. She understands the nature and culture of the school, and her presence underscores the school’s inherent strength and stability.”
Geiger, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Douglass College, a master’s in Administration and Supervision from Rutgers University, and a master’s in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education, spent a total of 34 years at Far Hills Country Day. She will be taking a leave of absence from her position at Educators’ Collaborative, an educational search and consulting firm, to lead the RCDS administrative team.
She is the first woman to serve as Head of School at RCDS, which first opened its doors in 1926.
“I am drawn to Rumson Country Day because it is a Nursery-Grade 8 school that truly understands the importance of childhood and a strong academic foundation,” Geiger said. “Every aspect of the RCDS program provides excellent and appropriate learning opportunities that offer both challenge and joy for each age group. I look forward to working with our professional and dedicated team of educators to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.”
As a trustee at RCDS, Geiger often collaborated with Slade, who followed Chad Small as Head of School. Small served RCDS for 25 years in that position.
“Every Head of School leaves an imprint and legacy,” she said. “Just as Whitney Slade built upon the legacy of Chad Small, the faculty, staff and I will continue their work to do what is best for the students of RCDS. I am fortunate to have known and worked with both of these previous Heads through the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools.”
“In education, as in life, sometimes plans change, and everyone here wishes Whitney and his family the best as they move forward,” Devlin said. “I have no doubt that, wherever he chooses to go, he’ll be a difference-maker. We were fortunate to have him for the three years that we did.”
The Rumson Country Day School (rcds.org) is a not-for-profit, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational school specializing in nursery through grade eight, with a 2016-17 enrollment of 430 students. The school enrolls students who work in small classes with superior programs in academics, athletics and the arts. With a student/teacher ratio of 7:1 and an average class size of 15, students are guided by a family of mentors who recognize strengths, nurture skills and empower confident children to be curious about the world around them. RCDS offers half-day and extended-day nursery and pre-K programs and a full-day kindergarten. RCDS has been recognized as a “Blue Ribbon School of Excellence” by the U. S. Department of Education since 1999.
