School Leadership

Recent growth and innovation at Christ School can be attributed to aspirational leadership, balanced with respect for the tradition of our first 125 years.  

Dr. Sean Jenkins '29 became the 14th Head of School in July 2021. The Board of Trustees approved the first strategic plan of his term a year later, followed by a campus master plan, and Christ School has continued its upward trajectory ever since.  

  • Enrollment reached a record high to start the 2024-25 academic year – 308 boys from 17 different states and 11 countries. 

  • Academic Rigor is never more evident with the offering of 27 Advanced Placement classes, 33 Honors classes, and six Advanced Studies classes (college-level courses not offered by AP), including four Math classes beyond Calculus. 

  • Two Programs of Distinction have been created – the Robert Morgan ’36 Aviation Program (one of only three high school aviation programs in the U.S.) and the Global Studies Program. 

  • The Cooper Living Arts Series was introduced in 2022 with the support of alumnus Edwin Cooper ’81, P’19, P’23 and his wife, Andrea P’19, P’23, bringing nationally-acclaimed creators and performers to campus each year. 

  • Athletics remains positioned as one of the premier programs in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association with seven team state championships.  

Originally from Knoxville, TN, Dr. Jenkins earned his B.A. in English from Wake Forest University and his M.Ed. from North Carolina State University. He completed his Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Virginia, where he served on the honor council and was inducted into the Raven Society.

Dr. Jenkins is a graduate of the McCallie School and a former member of its Board of Trustees. His other civic associations have included serving as senior warden at Christ Episcopal Church, as well as on the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Episcopal School (VES), and the Charlottesville Free Clinic.

Dr. Jenkins joined the Christ School community from the University of Virginia, where he served under Presidents John T. Casteen, III, Teresa A. Sullivan, and James E. Ryan as a senior assistant where his responsibilities included admissions, accreditation, development, board-governance, education policy, global programming, strategic and academic planning, and operations.

At UVA, Dr. Jenkins taught and advised undergraduate and graduate students. He was recognized for outstanding leadership and teaching by The Society of the Purple Shadows in 2015. His broad range of experience – including stints at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill – and expertise greatly benefit our community in his role as Head of School.

Dr. Jenkins is married to Lawson P’29, a Spartanburg, S.C., native and fellow Wake Forest and UVA graduate. They live in Boxwood House along with their sons, Coleman ’29 and Jack. 

FULL SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM

CHRIST SCHOOL'S LATEST STRATEGIC PLAN

 

Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees Chairman Steve Young '82

 

Mr. William Byron P'18

Mr. Edwin Cooper '81, P'19, P'23

Mr. Calvin Covington '01

Mr. Thomas Curtis '81

Mr. Morgan K. Herterich '04

Mr. Richard Jennings '73

Mrs. Maria Johnson P'20

Mr. John Kimberly P'16

Mrs. Doris Loomis P'10, P'13, P'16

Mrs. Lee Anne Mangone P'13

Mrs. Marianne Mebane W'48

Mr. Scott Montgomery '93

Mr. Daniel R. Murchison '11

Mr. Marshall Plumlee '11

Mr. Jack Smallpage '06

Mr. Townsend Tanner '03

Mr. William Willimon '94

Mr. Steve Young '82 - Chairman

Dr. Anna Hicks P'25, P'28 - Ex Officio

Mrs. Joanie Preyer P'27 - Ex Officio

The Rt. Rev. José Antonio McLoughlin
(Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina)