Princeton Day School announced the arrival of Kelley Nicholson-Flynn, who began her official tenure as the institution’s 12th head of school July 1.
“I am thrilled to be on campus and fully immersed in the community,” Nicholson-Flynn said. “I’ve enjoyed meeting so many of the individuals who make Princeton Day School exceptional, and I look forward to working in partnership with faculty, staff and families to build on our strengths and continue the remarkable teaching and learning for which PDS has long been known.”
Prior to her appointment, Nicholson-Flynn held the role of assistant head of school for operations at Riverdale Country School, a PreK-12 independent school in the Bronx. She assumed this position in 2020 after serving for eight years as head of the Upper School at Riverdale. Nicholson-Flynn began her teaching career at the Lawrenceville School in 1998, where she worked for 14 years in roles of increasing responsibility, including chair of the Science Department, chair of the Interdisciplinary Program and coordinator of Teaching and Learning Programs.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bucknell University and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary science studies from Johns Hopkins University, Nicholson-Flynn earned her doctorate in a joint program in cell and developmental biology at Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Nicholson-Flynn has also led multiple programs through the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College, including the Klingenstein Summer Institute and the FORGE leadership development program.
In addition to Nicholson-Flynn, PDS welcomes a new director of advancement, Jon Cormier, and a new head of Upper School, Katie O’Shaughnessey. Both members of the senior leadership team, Cormier and O’Shaughnessey bring a wealth of experience in both independent schools, higher education and the private sector.
