Courtney Harter, Executive Director
Mrs. Harter joined Sizer School, A North Central Charter Essential School in July 2015. She has worked in education for over sixteen years, serving in a number of positions with pilot, charter, Innovation, and district schools. She has a deep love of the Coalition of Essential Schools and believes in the power of the ten common principles.
Her work is driven by a desire to increase access to quality, engaging, progressive education for diverse students, with a particular passion for North Central Massachusetts. She has earned a BA from Swarthmore College, a Masters from Tufts University and a CAGS from Northeastern. Married with two children, she and her family enjoy being outdoors, reading, and cooking.
Mrs. Harter reports directly to the Board of Trustees, and provides the management and leadership to implement the school’s mission, vision and strategic plan for student academic success. The Executive Director also serves as leader of leaders and public spokesperson for the school; Spearheads and develops strategic initiatives; and Builds and sustains a collaborative culture in keeping with school’s vision and mission.
Phone: 978-345-2701 ext. 401
Email: [email protected]
Assistant: 978-345-2701 ext. 406 / [email protected]
David Perrigo, Principal
Mr. Perrigo joined Sizer School, A North Central Charter Essential School in July 2015. He has spent the last 30 years making schools better places for kids, their families, and the adults who teach in them.
Not only a parent, he has been a counselor, teacher, curriculum director, school reform specialist, principal, and a school founder. As a young educator, he learned a simple but profound lesson from Ted Sizer: Schools need to be guided by thoughtfulness. Sizer’s passionate critique revealed to us how often they are not. If we want our children to have rich, fulfilling successful lives filled with all the wonderful opportunities life affords, then schools must be places that provoke, inspire, and transform their lives.
Mr. Perrigo said “I believe in the importance of relationships, in the nurturing of community, in true partnership between kids, teachers, and families. I believe in learning that truly helps young people to be powerful, efficacious, happy, and successful. As your principal, I will listen carefully; I will treat all students, staff, and family members respectfully and fairly; I will also hold everyone, adults and students alike, to high expectations as people who “Think, Care, and Act” with tremendous skill, passion, and kindness.”
In his life outside of school Mr. Perrigo enjoys theater, jazz, skiing, the ocean, travel, politics, hanging out at his home in the mountains of Northern Vermont, and sharing time with his extended family and its many kids.
David Perrigo, is responsible for school leadership including daily oversight of all academic programs and activities at the school consistent with the Common Principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The Principal works collaboratively with the Executive Director, faculty, and other staff to ensure the school’s success in educating students, attaining adequate yearly progress, and achieving the school’s academic goals. The Principal supervises the teaching staff.
Phone: 978-345-2701 ext. 402
Email: [email protected]
Assistant: 978-345-2701 ext. 419 / [email protected]