McLean School Welcomes Eighth Head of School, Barry L. Davis

McLean School, in Potomac, Maryland, welcomed its new Head of School, Barry L. Davis, on July 1. This year, the School is celebrating its 70th anniversary. McLean is a K-12 school serving bright college-bound students, including those with dyslexia, ADHD, and organizational challenges.

With over 40 years in the field of education, Mr. Davis brings a range of professional experience to his position. Starting his career as a coach, Barry’s love and passion for teaching followed him from the basketball court to the classroom and later to leadership roles in several independent schools including Flint Hill School in Virginia (Head of Middle School), Brooklyn Friends School in New York (Middle School Director), Greensboro Day School in North Carolina (Middle School Director), and most recently St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Delaware (Head of School), where he successfully and significantly boosted enrollment and built a culture of philanthropy.

In all settings, Mr. Davis is known as a collaborative and effective leader who prioritizes relationships and respect in his work with teachers, students, and their families. He holds an MEd in Educational Leadership and School Administration and Supervision from Central Connecticut State University, an MEd in Educational Counseling and Human Development, and a BS in Physical Education from St. Lawrence University. Mr. Davis describes himself as a student who would have benefited from McLean’s Abilities Model®, a focus on “can” over “cannot,” and the skill-building and supportive community the school is known for.

“This is a school I would have wanted to go to as a child,” says Mr. Davis, “and I would have wanted my now grown sons to go here. So, in many ways, I am the McLean student, parent, and educator.” He continues, “I felt right way this was a fit”.

Mr. Davis was unanimously selected from an exceptional and diverse pool of candidates and four finalists. “Barry impressed us with his authenticity and ability to listen as well as lead,” says Jim Cigliano, Chair of the McLean School Board of Trustees. “He is a creative and strategic thinker and excellent communicator who puts people and students first. McLean is thrilled and fortunate to have him at the helm.”

The feeling is mutual: “I am proud to be part of an educational tradition that has not only evolved with the times, but also very often led the way with innovative pedagogy, best practices, and programs that serve as a model for others,” says Mr. Davis.

To learn more about McLean School, register to attend an Open House or Small Group Tour at mcleanschool.org/visit