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Ranney School's New Head Begins July 1

TINTON FALLS, N.J., July 1, 2013– The Ranney School Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. John Griffith as Ranney School’s fourth Head of School. Dr. Griffith, former Head of School at Battle Ground Academy (BGA) in Franklin, Tennessee, assumes this responsibility on July 1.

Dr. Griffith recently attended Ranney School’s 49th graduation exercises and introduced himself to the Class of 2013, the school’s newest alumni. His wife, Dana, and their four-year-old daughter, Claire, recently relocated back to the Northeast and are looking forward to being closer to family and to Dr. Griffith’s New Jersey roots. “Dana and I could not be more excited about the move to a wonderful community and joining a school of the caliber of Ranney,” said Dr. Griffith. “I have been so impressed by the talented faculty, a strong administrative team, successful alumni, committed Trustees, supportive parent community, and, especially the school’s bright and engaging students.”

In the spring of 2012, the Board of Trustees, led by President Jamie Price, commenced a five-month search process, which generated widespread global interest. “Dr. Griffith’s outstanding record of achievement and accomplishments combined with his superb academic preparation have made him the ideal candidate to uphold the vision for academic excellence established by our founder Russell G. Ranney, as well as the school’s mission, and embodies the perfect qualities to follow the great legacy of excellence created by Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff.” Dr. Sykoff retired as the Head of Ranney School at the end of the 2012-13 school year following a 20 year tenure. Dr. Sykoff will continue his relationship with Ranney School as Headmaster Emeritus.

During his tenure at BGA, Dr. Griffith served in two different roles, first as Headmaster working with the President of the School and, for the past four years, in the traditional role of Head of School. At BGA, he managed a budget of approximately $15 million, an $8.5 million endowment, and a physical plant of 60 acres on two campuses (with total land holdings of 95 acres). He has led a capital campaign of $6 million for a visual arts center and athletic and wellness center. His programmatic accomplishments included the implementation of a new technology planning process, including redoing all campus infrastructure, movement from PC to Apple, and planning of a 1:1 iPad and MacBook K-12 program. Dr. Griffith’s passion for teaching is reflected in having been twice awarded “Most Influential Teacher” at Montgomery Bell Academy. He also taught an English Literature class at Battle Ground Academy.

Dr. Griffith holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Middlebury College in English, a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in English (Modern British Literature) from Oxford University and a M.A. from Columbia University in Educational Leadership. His experience at BGA, a Kindergarten through 12th grade, coeducational day school similar to Ranney in size and structure, included campus expansion, program development, and the creation of new technologies in teaching and learning. Dr. Griffith also guided the school through two successful strategic plans. Before his role as Headmaster at BGA, Dr. Griffith’s experience was rooted in academic leadership as Upper School Head at the Miami Valley School in Dayton, Ohio. In addition to receiving the NAIS Fellowship for Aspiring Heads, National Endowment for the Humanities institutes and seminars, and a Fulbright Memorial Fund Fellowship, Dr. Griffith was selected for the Klingenstein Heads of Schools program for 2013.

According to Mr. Price, “Dr. Griffith has a track record in creating environments that help young people flourish – in academics, the arts, and athletics. His own character and values are aligned with our school’s mission, and he has the desire to pursue our firm commitment to excellence.”

Read the close up interview with Dr. Griffith and NJBIZ. You can also read a recent article in the Colts Neck Journal "Dr. John Griffith Begins as Ranney Head of School".

About Ranney School: Founded in 1960 and serving more than 800 boys and girls, Beginners (age 3) through grade 12, Ranney School is an independent, college preparatory day school located in historic Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Under its motto "knowledge, vision, honor," Ranney School strives to provide an exceptional academic experience in which every child is known and valued. It emphasizes modern methods of instruction, small class sizes and traditional educational values. For more information, please call Ranney School at 732-542-4777 or visit www.ranneyschool.org. ###
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.