Field School of Charlottesville, a boys middle school that develops “well-rounded boys of character and accomplishment,” is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Charles Skipper as Field School’s second Head of School. Dr. Skipper’s tenure will begin in July, 2020.
Dr. Skipper comes to Field School with over 24 years of experience as a Head of School, here in Central Virginia at Miller School, nationally (at Spartanburg Day School in SC and Episcopal School of Acadiana in LA) and internationally at some of the world’s most esteemed American Schools (American School San Salvador, in El Salvador, TASIS, in Lugano, Switzerland, and Robert College, in Istanbul, Turkey). Dr. Skipper began his career in education as a teacher (History and Government) and coach at Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, Virginia, moving on the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where he served from 1984-1995 as teacher, coach, dorm head, and as Chair of the History Department and Dean of the Faculty. An honors graduate in History of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Skipper holds M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Moreover, Dr. Skipper has been the recipient of teaching awards and fellowships, has held adjunct teaching positions at teachers’ colleges both nationally and internationally, is a recognized authority on school accreditation processes, has launched a number of important national and international educational initiatives, and has published essays in professional journals on topics from the fields of leadership, educational administration, and philosophy.
The Board of Directors believes that Dr. Skipper will be a wonderful Head of School who will bring a diverse breadth of experience that will benefit all aspects of the Field School community and model and articulate Field School’s mission, vision and purpose. The Board of Directors is confident about the future of Field School in Charlie’s capable hands, particularly as Field School anticipates transitioning to its 21-acre Barracks Road campus over the course of the next five years.
In making this announcement, we also want to recognize and thank Field School’s founding Head of School, Dr. Todd Barnett, for his unwavering vision, countless hours and dedication to Field School. While the rigorous academics and confidence-boosting activities benefit every boy attending Field School, the commitment to the sense of community and focus on “the whole boy” benefit the greater community as a whole (and each community that these boys will be a part of as they move on to new schools, jobs, and relationships). Field School matriculates thoughtful young men who care about the world in which they live and how they treat it and the people in it. Dr. Barnett will leave an indelible mark on Field School, and for that, we will be forever grateful.