The Meadowbrook School recently announced that Jim Pierce is its new Head of School. Pierce is well-known at the school, having previously served for 14 years as a classroom teacher (1999-2009) and Assistant Head of School (2009-2013). During that time, he helped shape many of the programs that continue to enhance the school’s offerings today, including the launch of Camp Meadowbrook and the preschool program.
Pierce mostly recently served as Principal and Math Improvement Facilitator at Reach Cyber Charter School, where he led a team of 24 teachers, serving over 900 upper elementary students. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Operating Officer and founding team member of YSC Academy, where he provided strategic leadership for the daily operations of middle and upper school programs. He holds B.A. in psychology and elementary education from Lycoming College, a master’s degree in instructional technology and educational leadership from Drexel University, and will complete his Ed.D. in learning analytics from National University this spring.
“I’m deeply honored to have the opportunity to rejoin The Meadowbrook School community, a place that holds a special place in my heart,” said Pierce. “Meadowbrook’s unwavering dedication to nurturing the joy and wonder of childhood is truly extraordinary. Its commitment to fostering a nurturing, fun, and collaborative environment, paired with its warm and welcoming spirit, makes it a remarkable school. I’m thrilled to partner with the talented faculty, staff, and families to build on the school’s proud traditions and create a vibrant learning community where each child’s unique potential can thrive. It is a true privilege to step into this role and contribute to Meadowbrook’s mission of bringing life to learning.”
Pierce’s priorities for Meadowbrook include:
- Make Meadowbrook the “Worst Kept Secret” in Abington: Pierce is committed to amplifying Meadowbrook’s presence and impact in the community. “We don’t want to be the best school nobody’s ever heard of,” he says. His goal is to strengthen community partnerships, increase visibility through creative outreach, and ensure that every family in the region knows what Meadowbrook stands for: Bringing life to learning in a nurturing, fun, and collaborative environment.
- Support for Working Families: Recognizing the evolving needs of today’s families, Pierce is dedicated to expanding the school’s support systems to meet families where they are. From extended day programming to increased flexibility, Meadowbrook will continue to grow as a reliable partner for working parents. “Great schools support not just students, but the whole family,” he notes. “We want to make Meadowbrook a place where families feel known, understood, and supported—every step of the way.”
- Be a Home for Gifted and Talented Learners: Under Pierce’s leadership, Meadowbrook will continue to be a place where bright, curious, and creative students are not only challenged, but deeply understood. He believes that gifted and talented learners deserve more than just extra worksheets—they deserve a learning environment that honors their questions, supports their passions, and helps them grow both intellectually and emotionally. “Our job is to meet students where they are and take them as far as they can go,” says Pierce. “For many gifted learners, that means creating space for advanced thinking, deeper exploration, and authentic connection with peers and mentors who ‘get’ them.”
Pierce began his new role on July 1. Previous Head of School Michael Reardon, who served in this role for 11 years, announced his departure a year ago. Pierce’s appointment followed an extensive nationwide search that drew a pool of many impressive candidates. Meadowbrook’s Board of Directors engaged Nicole McDermott and Jay Underwood of Educational Directions and formed a Head of School Search Committee, which included current and past parents, faculty, staff, and trustees. The Committee conducted extensive interviews and gathered feedback from faculty, parents, students, staff, and references. The Board voted unanimously to approve Jim as Meadowbrook’s next head.
“Jim embodies the heart and spirit of Meadowbrook, and is the right person to support our faculty and staff, uplift our students, and work to implement the long-term vision of the school,” says Marlene Sidhu, chair, The Meadowbrook School Board of Trustees. “We are grateful to departing Head of School Michael Reardon, who has set Meadowbrook on a strong path to success over his ten-year tenure. We are excited for Meadowbrook’s future under Jim’s leadership and are confident his appointment will support our mission of bringing life to learning in a fun, nurturing, and collaborative environment.”
The Meadowbrook School was founded in 1919 and is situated on a 16-acre wooded campus in a quiet residential area of Abington Township. The school is an independent co-ed day school for students from preschool through 6th grade. The Meadowbrook School brings life to learning for elementary-aged children in a nurturing, fun, and collaborative environment.