PS-5TH GRADE

March 25, 2026

Dear Island School community,

I am writing to share that I will be stepping down as Head of School at the conclusion of this academic year.

This was an incredibly difficult decision to make given my deep love for this school community. For nearly 20 years, The Island School has been an anchor for my family. It has shaped my son into the kind and curious individual he is today and provided me the profound opportunity to grow as a leader. Every day, I have the privilege of spending time with committed educators, joyful children, and families who are partners in our mission. I will deeply miss these daily interactions. 

This choice comes after several months of reflection on both the school’s future and my own professional journey. Through that process, I have realized that my heart is calling me back toward instructional leadership where my passion for education first began. 

Please know that I am fully dedicated to ensuring a seamless and successful leadership transition. The faculty and staff here are the soul of The Island School. Their innovation and devotion inspire me every day. I have total confidence that, alongside our dedicated Board of Trustees, they will continue to nurture our mission with the same brilliance I have witnessed for two decades.

While I will not be a daily presence at The Island School next year, my heart will remain with this extraordinary school and the amazing individuals who bring it to life each day. I will continue to champion the mission and impact of this community from afar.

With gratitude and pride,

Amanda

Dear Island School Community,

On March 25, Amanda Ward shared with our community that she will be stepping down as Head of School at the conclusion of this school year. On behalf of the Board, we extend our sincere gratitude for Amanda’s leadership and for the many contributions she has made to The Island School during her tenure. She has served the school with thoughtfulness, integrity, and a deep and abiding commitment to our students and community.

Amanda guided The Island School through a period of significant challenge and growth. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked closely with faculty and staff to reimagine how school could safely and meaningfully continue, including the creation of outdoor classroom experiences and the return to in-person learning in fall 2020. Her steady leadership helped preserve continuity, connection, and stability for our students and families during an uncertain time.

In the years since, Amanda has worked with equal care and intention to strengthen the school’s foundation for the future. She collaborated with the community to develop a Diversity Statement and partnered with the Board to establish long-term financial and facilities plans. She also worked with the Board to refine our vision and mission, ensuring a shared understanding of who we are and where we are headed.  

Amanda also led the school through re-accreditation with the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, engaging in a collaborative process that affirmed the quality and strength of our program. She leaves The Island School well positioned for the future, with a clear strategic direction, strong financial reserves, and a solid foundation on which to build.

And yet, for all of these accomplishments, what so many of us will remember most about Amanda is the way she shows up each day for our students. She is a Head of School who truly knows them—who stands outside in the morning to greet them by name, who pauses to listen, to ask a question, to share a laugh. She is approachable, kind, and deeply present. Amanda has continued to lead a culture where students feel seen and known, and that is a gift that will endure.

The Board of Trustees is now beginning the next phase of our transition planning. In the coming weeks, we will initiate a search for an Interim Head of School to serve through the next school year. At the same time, we will begin a thoughtful and inclusive process during the 2026–2027 school year to identify the school’s next long-term Head of School. We are committed to keeping the community informed throughout this process.

We are grateful to Amanda for the care, energy and heart she has given to The Island School. Opportunities to recognize and celebrate her contributions will be shared in the months ahead.

With Gratitude,

Greer Dunn

Board President & Current Parent