Westminster School, a preschool eighth-grade private school located in Annandale, Virginia, announced that Nancy Schuler will take over as the new head of school on August 1, 2021. Her appointment follows the retirement of Mr. Ellis Glover, who gave forty-five years of service to the School.
Schuler has served as the admissions director for Westminster School since 1997, but her association with the school began long before that. Schuler attended Westminster from sixth through eighth grade, and after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, she returned to become the third- and fourth-grade history teacher.
After taking a year off to be with her young children, Schuler returned as the admissions director, and when her three children were old enough, they all attended the school from kindergarten through the eighth grade.
“I’ve experienced the school from every angle,” says Schuler. “I was a student, a teacher, an administrator, and a parent. As head of school, I’ll be proud to share those perspectives with everyone who comes through Westminster’s doors.”
Westminster School was founded in 1962, meaning this upcoming school year will mark the school’s sixtieth anniversary. At that time, Westminster has only had three heads of school: Mrs. Jane Goll, the school’s founder; Mr. Ellis Glover, her personal and professional mentee; and Mrs. Nancy Schuler. This length of service is highly unusual in the independent-school world.
“It’s hard to even imagine Westminster without Mr. Glover,” says Schuler. “It’s going to be very strange without him, but I’m honored by the appointment and excited to take this next step in my Westminster journey.”
Westminster has a tradition of inspiring long tenures. Over fifteen teachers and administrators have worked at Westminster for more than twenty-five years.
“This school is a special place,” says Schuler. “It’s unusual for teachers and administrators to stay in their positions as long as they do here, and that longevity speaks to the dedication the school engenders.”
Over her many years of service to the school, Schuler has earned the respect, admiration, and confidence of students, parents, and staff alike. Mrs. O’Drudy, who served as Westminster’s Latin teacher for thirty-six years, worked closely with Schuler and feels confident in the appointment.
“Being that, as Mr. Glover said, nothing can go on forever and ever, Mrs. Schuler taking the helm is going to be the best thing that could have ever happened,” says O’Drudy. “She is the only person who could do this. Mrs. Schuler has the ability and the vision to not only preserve what we've brought about through all these decades but also to move forward and to enhance and to expand the program.”
Keith Fulk, the sitting chair of the Westminster Board of Trustees, is equally supportive.
“We all feel that Nancy, with her thirty years of experience as a Westminster parent, teacher, admissions director, and member of the management team, has a perfect understanding of the school programs, mission, and philosophy. She is eminently qualified to be the next head of school, and we’re expecting strong leadership and great things to come.”
About Westminster School:
Westminster School (pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade private school) offers a classical education for the twenty-first century to a highly diverse community of learners. Students are prepared for success and self-fulfillment through a carefully structured program of academic and personal development. Literature, history, languages, PE and athletics, and the arts combine with advanced math and science instruction, guiding students on how to be active learners, to think independently, to express themselves clearly and creatively, and to act responsibly. Within a nurturing environment, children exercise kindness, respect, integrity, and confidence. Graduates are well prepared to meet challenges and to seize the opportunities of life in high school, college, and beyond.
