In an email to students and parents shortly after school ended Monday, Head of School Larry Van Meter announced that Upper School Director Justin Brandon will be leaving Moorestown Friends in June to be the Upper School Director at Francis W. Parker School.

 

“I am sorry to lose Justin, but I am excited for him and his wife, Angela, and their daughter, Jozi, as they move to a larger school and bigger metropolitan area,” Van Meter wrote in the email.

 

Brandon has been influential since he became the Upper School Director, taking over for now Academic Dean and Associate Head of School Chris Kimberley. Van Meter noted that Peer Leadership was created and the advisory program, Intensive Learning, and Capstone projects are significantly changed.

 

 

A search for a new Upper School Director will be launched “immediately,” Van Meter wrote. It is worth noting that Van Meter will be leaving his position as Head of School in June 2018.

 

Francis W. Parker School is independent and located in Chicago. It was founded in 1901 and has 932 students in Junior Kindergarten  through 12th grades as well as 200 faculty and staff.

 

Brandon thanked the Upper School body, and said he appreciated the conversations he’s had in the DHC, office, and senior benches. “I am proud of the thoughtful, fun and driven students that make the Upper School a very special place. I hope the students appreciate the community that we (faculty and staff) have worked to create and support. We are not perfect, but we will never stop trying to improve the student experience at MFS.” Read the full statement from Mr. Brandon below. 

This story has been updated to include Brandon’s quote. 

Full statement from Mr. Brandon:

“I would like to say thank you to the student body. Thank you for allowing me to be me. I appreciated the conversations had in the DHC, my office on the senior benches, etc… I am proud of the thoughtful, fun and driven students that make the Upper School a very special place. I hope the students appreciate the community that we (faculty and staff) have worked to create and support. We are not perfect, but we will never stop trying to improve the student experience at MFS. I will miss our weekly time together during Meeting for Worship, Soul Food Fest, Spirit Week and so many other events that highlight the student experience. I am looking forward to exploring a new city with my family and joining a similarly inclusive and supportive community at Francis W. Parker. I will try to visit whenever I return to the area. Thank you for providing me with this opportunity.”