Elizabeth Clayton Named Next Head of Sant Bani School

Sant Bani School is pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Clayton as the next Head of School.  A lifelong educator, Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of independent school life.  She will officially begin her tenure at SBS on July 1, 2025. 

Elizabeth comes to Sant Bani School from Charles River School, a PK – 8 school in Dover, Mass. where she has been the Associate Head of School since 2007.  A graduate of Smith College, Elizabeth earned her M.S. from Indiana University and began her career in education as a science teacher at Worcester Academy.  She then spent eight years at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School, where she served as an Academic Dean, Middle School Coordinator, and classroom teacher before moving on to her current role at Charles River School. 

In her capacity as Associate Head of School, Elizabeth has helped oversee the school’s daily operations.  Her work has encompassed all aspects of school life, as she has contributed to shaping academics and curriculum, admissions, communications and marketing, athletics, secondary school placement, finance management, summer programming, and more at CRS.

Elizabeth’s skills and expertise align perfectly with our vision for the future. Her glowing references consistently highlight her unwavering dedication to her students, faculty, and school community. Colleagues described her as someone who readily steps into any classroom or situation to provide support, always striving to find solutions that benefit everyone involved. Elizabeth’s enthusiasm for the SBS way of life and her collaborative spirit made it clear she is the ideal choice to help lead us into the next era.

Please join us in extending a warm Sant Bani School welcome to Elizabeth and her family, which includes husband, Fred, and children Freddy (21) and Mary Cate (18). 

Sincerely,

Katherine Raphaelson P’21’24
President
Sant Bani School Board of Trustees

Introductory Letter from Elizabeth

Dear Sant Bani School Community,

I am thrilled and honored to be joining the Sant Bani School community as the next Head of School. I have been fortunate in my career to be in leadership at child-centered, mission-driven K-8 schools, and I was drawn to SBS for its strong commitment to being a school where belonging and respect are as important as academic excellence. I believe that the ability to interact productively with peers and treat others with kindness and dignity will be far more valuable in our children’s lives than simply memorizing facts, and SBS is a place where that belief is evident in its mission.

The highlight of my visit to Sant Bani School was meeting several students and all of the dedicated members of the faculty and staff. At its heart, a school is teachers and students, and the teachers and students I met during my time on campus were the best ambassadors a school could hope for. The deep commitment to and love for SBS were evident in every interaction, from witnessing joyful students learning in classrooms and outside, to conversations with middle school students, to meetings with adults in the community. I am excited to become part of such a vibrant and welcoming school!

As someone who was drawn to education for the ability to make a difference in the lives of others, forging strong and productive relationships with students, colleagues, and families has always been a cornerstone of my time in schools. I am looking forward to collaborating with all of you as we embark together on the next chapter of Sant Bani School with the pillars of the 2024 Strategic Plan and the important history of this remarkable school as our guides. 

Best,

Elizabeth

Message From the Search Committee Co-Chairs

As we prepare to welcome Elizabeth to SBS, we extend our deepest gratitude to Dan Love for his four years of dedicated service to the school.  Dan has been a calm, stabilizing presence who has helped lay a sturdy foundation for the future of Sant Bani School as he prepares to pass the baton to Elizabeth.  

Appointing Elizabeth is the culmination of a lengthy search process that began last spring when we learned the bittersweet news of Dan’s new opportunity.  We are extremely grateful for the countless people who lent their time, energy, and perspectives to the search process, beginning with the dedicated members of our Search Committee.  A decision of such magnitude requires input from an expansive group, and we are appreciative of the students, employees, parents, and alumni who took part in the search process. 

We would not have been able to complete the hiring process without start-to-finish guidance from Charlie Britton and Lisa Parsons of Carney, Sandoe and Associates.  Charlie’s familiarity with Sant Bani School was beneficial in helping us identify candidates that we felt would align with the school’s mission and values, and he and Lisa took on the herculean task of sorting through the dozens of applications received.  From the moment we partnered with Carney Sandoe, their expertise has made the Head of School search process feel manageable. 

This is an exciting time for our small school in the woods as we build off the momentum of last summer’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, move forward with the 2024 Strategic Plan, and welcome Elizabeth’s guidance and experience in moving us forward. 

Sincerely,