From The Head of School
Being a part of an educational community that has thrived for 250 years inspires confidence.
I am confident that our outstanding faculty, our high academic standards and our innovative, forward-looking curriculum sets the NA educational experience apart. This boldness results in a Middle School that proffers its own unique identity and signature curriculum designed specifically to meet the educational and developmental needs of students in grades 6-8. Project-based collaborative learning and end-of-year Capstone Experiences capture students’ curiosity and create opportunities for them to apply their growing knowledge to real-world situations. By eighth grade, Newark Academy students demonstrate a level of self-understanding unusual for their age by assembling detailed portfolios that highlight their progress in acquiring skills and knowledge across a range of disciplines.
In the Upper School, the curriculum grows more sophisticated, as our faculty engage and inspire students in a wide variety of courses. An intellectual vitality informs the Upper School academic program, allowing curious and qualified students to take a range of advanced learning courses as well as an impressive array of electives.
Learning continues beyond the traditional classroom settings through our required Immersion Experience and the experiential learning-based June Term courses, both of which result in our students growing more self-confident and mature while building a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it.
Our 68-acre suburban campus provides outstanding academic, arts and athletic facilities, providing our students, at every grade level, with an array of curricular and extracurricular outlets to develop their talents and hone interpersonal and leadership skills.
Though our students and faculty set high standards for themselves, they thrive in a comfortable atmosphere of trust, respect, collaboration and good humor. A common spirit and purpose bind the community together, as do the traditions we share, from Morning Meetings and Spirit Week to Senior Projects and Middle School WinterFest.
I invite you to visit our campus so that you can experience, first-hand, the tradition, confidence and boldness that makes Newark Academy extraordinary.
Sincerely,
Donald M. Austin
Head of School
Our long and rich history ensures us that we are capable of weathering almost any storm – educational, societal, cultural; experienced enough to avoid being swayed by fleeting trends; and bold enough to reimagine what educational rigor should look like in the 21st century."
Donald M. Austin
Head of School
Newark Academy Announces Its New Head of School
Tom Ashburn has been appointed to serve as the next Head of School for Newark Academy by a unanimous vote of the Trustees, effective July 1, 2025. He will succeed Don Austin who has announced his plans to retire after 18 years of dedicated service in the role.
October 1, 2024
Dear Newark Academy Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Newark Academy, I am delighted to announce that Tom Ashburn has been appointed to serve as the next Head of School for Newark Academy by a unanimous vote of the Trustees, effective July 1, 2025. He will succeed Don Austin who has announced his plans to retire after 18 years of dedicated service in the role.
Many of you are familiar with Tom, given his long tenure as a teacher and administrator at Newark Academy. After seven years as an Upper School English teacher, Tom has served as the Middle School Principal for 17 years. In this capacity, he has been instrumental in fostering a joyful and respectful school culture, leading initiatives that have expanded student enrollment, enhanced academic programs, and promoted diversity and inclusion. Newark Academy's core values of a standard of excellence and a generosity of spirit have been at the heart of Tom's work, and he is eager to contribute further to the school’s success as its next Head of School.
Even in a talented pool stemming from our nationwide search, Tom stood out for his proven leadership and vision. When he was announced as a finalist, he received remarkable support from Newark Academy faculty, administrators, parents, students and other stakeholders. We are pleased to have found our next Head of School in our own community and feel confident that Tom Ashburn will be a superb leader for Newark Academy in the years to come.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to accept the role of Head of School at Newark Academy starting on July 1, 2025. It's all the more meaningful to follow in the footsteps of the transformational leadership of Don Austin,” Tom says. “Newark Academy is a dynamic and distinguished school and I am committed to continuing to foster an environment where our students are inspired to grow, find joy, and embrace meaningful challenges. As I begin this new chapter, I am energized by the opportunity to lead such a strong, inclusive, and vibrant community. We will continue to live out our shared values and build relationships that help us learn and grow together. I am sincerely grateful for the trust placed in me and pledge to honor that trust through thoughtful leadership and dedication to the Academy’s mission.”
During his tenure at NA, Tom spearheaded numerous transformative initiatives in the Middle School, including the shift to experiential, skills-based learning, the development of comprehensive skill rubrics, and the introduction of Capstone Experiences. These efforts have elevated both academic rigor and personal growth opportunities for students. Tom is also deeply invested in supporting faculty and consistently promotes collaboration and innovation among his colleagues. He believes that building strong relationships with students, faculty, and parents is essential to fostering a thriving learning environment, and he has excelled in doing so throughout his career.
Tom’s leadership extends well beyond the Middle School program. He played a critical role in the planning, fundraising, design, and construction of the Wilf Middle School building and in revitalizing Newark Academy's summer programs, which he helped grow into a vibrant and financially successful initiative. Additionally, as a key member of the Return-to-School Task Force during the pandemic, Tom worked diligently to ensure that students' academic and emotional needs were met, maintaining continuity of learning during one of the most challenging times in the school’s history.
Tom grew up in New Hampshire and earned a B.A. in English from Marist College and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from the University of Saint Elizabeth. The emphasis of his study was servant leadership in middle and secondary education. Tom lives in Long Valley, NJ, with his wife, Stacy, and his three children, Matthew, Caitlin, and Brady.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the members of the Search Committee for their substantial effort in conducting the search. Chaired by David Crall, the Search Committee also included John Bess ’69, Pat Budziak, Lawrence G. Cetrulo ’67, Rasheea Williams Hall ’95, and Kerry Winiarski, while I served as an ex officio member. The committee devoted countless hours and great care to the search process to ensure its successful outcome. I would also like to thank every stakeholder who took the time to participate, as broad community input was extremely valuable to the process. Finally, I would like to thank our search consultants Educators Collaborative for their support and guidance.
As we reflect on Don’s tenure, we could not have asked for a more thoughtful, considerate, gracious and dedicated Head of School. By any measure, Newark Academy has advanced and prospered under his stewardship. Thanks to the inspiration and commitment of both Don Austin and Tom Ashburn, as well as the continuing dedication of our faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees looks forward to a bright future for Newark Academy.
Sincerely,
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Samuel W. Croll III, ’68
Chair, Newark Academy Board of Trustees