Meet Headmaster Elect Jonathan Downs '98
Millbrook's 7th headmaster elect has known since his time as a student at Millbrook that he wanted to devote his life to education. So, it is no surprise that he has spent the past 18 years teaching, leading, and learning in schools, preparing for this perfect opportunity to lead the school he loves.
After graduating from Millbrook in 1998, Mr. Downs earned his bachelor's degree from Middlebury College, then his master's degree in English from the Breadloaf School at Middlebury, and finally his master's in education from Harvard, all while teaching and coaching at day schools in New Jersey and North Carolina. He returned to Millbrook in 2010 as the director of admission, now assistant headmaster, and Millbrook has been the beneficiary of his talent and dedication since.
His experience and accomplishments during 18 years in independent schools have prepared him well. Millbrook's future will be bright under his leadership.
After graduating from Millbrook in 1998, Mr. Downs earned his bachelor's degree from Middlebury College, then his master's degree in English from the Breadloaf School at Middlebury, and finally his master's in education from Harvard, all while teaching and coaching at day schools in New Jersey and North Carolina. He returned to Millbrook in 2010 as the director of admission, now assistant headmaster, and Millbrook has been the beneficiary of his talent and dedication since.
His experience and accomplishments during 18 years in independent schools have prepared him well. Millbrook's future will be bright under his leadership.
Mr. Downs' accomplishments in independent schools span every area of school life:
- Appointed by Millbrook's board of trustees as acting headmaster, July 2019 - December 2019, during Drew and Linda Casertano's sabbatical.
- As Millbrook's assistant headmaster since 2017, he has helped to raise $81 million dollars in capital funds and plan for an additional $50 million campaign to support Millbrook's 15-year master plan. He has managed the three departments vital to Millbrook's success: admission, advancement, and communications.
- As Millbrook's director of admission from 2010-2017, he increased enrollment by 28% in a declining boarding school market. In each of the seven years he led the Admission Office, Millbrook saw record inquiries, visits, applications, and enrollment.
- As the dean of students overseeing discipline for 520 students in the upper school at Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC, Mr. Downs improved the quality of student life, planned all special programs, founded a "Freshman Focus" program within the college office, and assisted the division head in hiring new faculty.
- Allsop Award for Best Teacher while teaching high school English at Newark Academy in Livingston, NJ.
- New Jersey Baseball State Champion (x4) and Coach of the Year
- Designed writing and literature curriculum for the 8th grade
- Recently concluded two three-year terms as a trustee at Dutchess Day School, helping to hire and retain their new head of school.
- Presenter at The Assocation of Boarding Schools Annual Meeting, 2018 and 2019; presenter at the Enrollment Management Association, 2019
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Aspiring Heads Fellow, 2019; presenter at the 2020 NAIS annual conference.
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Jon and Erin Downs with Finley, Aurora, and Atticus
Erin and Jon Downs met while both were teaching at Providence Day School in North Carolina, and they married a short time later. Erin is as familiar with independent schools as Jon is - she attended Brentwood School & St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in California, earned her bachelor's degree from Davidson College and her master's from Middlebury College. Erin recently chaired Millbrook’s English department, and she is now an associate director of college counseling.
Erin and Jon live on Millbrook's campus with their three young children: Atticus (7), Aurora (6), and Finley (2).
Erin and Jon live on Millbrook's campus with their three young children: Atticus (7), Aurora (6), and Finley (2).
