About Us

Mission + Vision

The Canterbury School is dedicated to academic excellence within a caring and supportive community emphasizing character, leadership, and service.

Our Leadership & Vision

Canterbury’s history is rich in leadership and vision by those who have come before us as donors, visionaries, and volunteers. Together they have set the course for what Canterbury is today, a well-respected educational institution producing students who are prepared for success in college and beyond.

For more than five decades, Canterbury School has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, preparing students to excel in the world. From its first faculty member in 1964, Canterbury’s outstanding faculty has nurtured the individual potential in each student. They challenge, support, and recognize the individual learning journey of a diverse student body.

Today’s mission of academic excellence, leadership, character, and service are evident by the contributions of more than 1000 Canterbury alumni all over the world. Our work continues to honor our rich history while envisioning our next 50 years of service.

Board of Trustees 2023-2024

Chair –  Mike Damiani
Treasurer –  Dominic Cameratta
Secretary –  Wendy Crate

Honorary Life Members

Albert Frierson
James F. Garner
Susan T. Hamilton Mahan
Charles Idelson
Robert Taylor

Board Members

Ed Bell
Kellie Burns-Garvey
Tom Burt (Fathers Club Representative)
Gloria Caesar
Sean Campbell
Michael Dean
Lizy Dosoretz '98
Arie Dosoretz '00
Chauncey Goss '84
Lynn Kirby
Rick Kirschner, Ex-officio, Head of School
Judy Langley
Lee Levison
David Lucas
Aditi Maheshwari
Lori May (Chair Emeritus)
Michael Rubenstein '05 (Alumni Board President)
Tarek Salhab

2023-2024 School Administration

List of 5 members.

  • Photo of Rick Kirschner

    Rick Kirschner 

    Head of School
    (239) 481-4323 x747
  • Photo of Nikki Ernst

    Nikki Ernst 

    Head of Lower School
    (239) 333-3280 x104
  • Photo of Sharon Laconi

    Sharon Laconi 

    Head of Middle School
    (239) 333-3282 x205
  • Photo of Erin Smith

    Erin Smith 

    Head of Upper School
    (239) 481-4323 x323
  • Photo of Katherine Tanner

    Katherine Tanner 

    Director of Strategic Communications
    (239) 481-4323 x235

List of 5 members.

  • Photo of Paula Sizemore

    Paula Sizemore 

    Director of Admission
    (239) 415-8945
  • Photo of Frank Turco

    Frank Turco 

    Athletic Director
    (239) 481-4323 x411
  • Photo of Melissa Wilson

    Melissa Wilson 

    Director of College Guidance
    (239) 481-4313 x728
  • Photo of George Pappas

    George Pappas 

    Associate Head of School
    (239) 481-4323 x718
  • Photo of Susan Chicone

    Susan Chicone 

    Assistant Head for Finance and Human Resources

Strategic Plan 2020-2025

The Strategic Planning Committee spent more than a year developing the seven goals and associated action steps that make up the Strategic Plan for Canterbury School. This process included surveys of our constituencies, seven different task forces, and input from our consultant Rob Hershey of Hershey Leadership Consulting. Following a thoughtful review and discussion, Canterbury School's Board of Trustees approved the Strategic Plan in October 2020. Since then, steps are already underway to implement the goals and priorities laid out in this plan. 

Canterbury School