Avery Coonley School Names Druzinsky New Leader

Following a national search, the Avery Coonley School Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Paul Druzinsky as the Interim Head of School, effective July 1, 2014. He replaces Paul Barton, who is leaving to become Head of Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta, GA.

Druzinsky has served as head of independent schools for 11 years, most recently with Rodeph Sholom School in New York City. He has broad administrative experience at schools across the country and was a drama teacher and department chair at Francis Parker School in Chicago. For the past four years he has also served as a Commissioner on Accreditation for the New York State Association of Independent Schools.

"I am humbled and excited to be joining the Avery Coonley community. Growing up in Chicago I know of the great reputation the school has, and what a special place it is for children," Mr. Druzinsky said. "When I visited the school, I instantly knew it was a place that resonated with my own educational beliefs and philosophy. It already feels like home!"

The Avery Coonley School, located in Downers Grove, serves nearly 400 academically talented students in pre-school through 8th grade. The school, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, combines academic rigor with a heavy focus on the arts, and uses experiential learning techniques developed by John Dewey and others. According to Board Chair James Crouthamel, "Mr. Druzinsky's background, experience, and philosophy make him uniquely qualified to understand the school's mission and tradition of excellence. He is the ideal candidate to lead us into the future."