Head of School Search
After 19 years of dedicated service, the board and Mr. Ross have decided the 2026-2027 academic year will be his last at Providence Classical Christian Academy, marking the end of a significant chapter in our history. This page will serve as a central resource for updates on the search process, key milestones, and opportunities for the community to engage.
“Looking back, I am filled with gratitude for what the Lord has accomplished through the collective faithfulness of our faculty, staff, leadership team, Board, and school families. Together, we have witnessed and continue to witness His abundant provision in ways that far exceed anything we could have imagined.”
- JASON ROSS
Executive Search Information
As we walk through this important season of leadership transition, the Board of Directors is committed to a thoughtful, prayerful, and thorough search process for the next Head of School. As part of this effort, Providence Classical Christian Academy has partnered with NextEd, an executive search firm specializing in Christian school leadership, to guide and support this process.
Gary Arnold
Gary is a passionate advocate for weaving Christ into every aspect of education. He brings a peacemaking spirit and a deep commitment to bridge-building across communities and cultures—anchored firmly in the truth of Jesus and Scripture. Gary has served on various national councils, as a founding member of the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA), and as a former lobbyist in Washington, D.C., where he engaged thoughtfully with leaders from a wide range of perspectives. Gary has served as Head of School in both Massachusetts and the greater Chicago area. He and his wife, Karen, later followed a call to Arkansas, joining God’s work in Little Rock. Over the course of 16 years, they witnessed and helped lead a significant transformation in the school’s reach and impact—both locally and beyond. As a NextEd partner, Gary draws from decades of leadership experience and a deep well of spiritual and relational wisdom to support Christ-centered schools with courage, clarity, and grace.
Jay Ferguson
Jay is a culture builder with a pastor’s heart and a strategist’s mind. A former litigation attorney with over a decade of experience, he brings a rare blend of legal insight, analytical thinking, and relational wisdom to his leadership in Christian education. Raised in the Park Cities area of Dallas, Jay and his wife, Ashley, made Tyler, Texas their home to raise their three daughters. Jay currently serves as Head of School for a University-Model® school in Tyler, Texas, where he has helped grow a once-small Christian school into a nationally respected institution. Jay is known for guiding institutions through complex and sensitive challenges—whether working alongside boards, school leaders, or faculty teams. His calm, principle-driven approach allows him to navigate difficult decisions while maintaining focus on mission and long-term health. In addition to school leadership, Jay serves as an adjunct professor, helping to shape the next generation of leaders with clarity, conviction, and care. As a NextEd partner, Jay offers schools steady leadership, thoughtful perspective, and a deep commitment to Gospel-centered flourishing.
Anticipated Timeline
- August 5, 2026 - Electronic survey sent to PCCA community
- August 27, 2026 - Discovery site visit with NextEd consultants
- Early September - NextEd publishes PCCA Head of School Opportunity Profile (applications open)
- October 10, 2026 - Deadline for applications
- Early November - Semi-finalists selected
- Early December - Finalists identified and invited for campus site visit
We anticipate a final decision announced by the end of the year (2026), and the new Head of School to assume their role at Providence Classical Christian Academy by July 1, 2027.
Commonly Asked Questions
Who is leading the Search Process?
Per the by-laws of Providence Classical Christian Academy, the Board of Directors is responsible for selecting and hiring the next Head of School. The Board established a Search Committee, chaired by Adrienne Woods, comprising current directors and advisors that will engage in the search process and ultimately recommend a candidate to the Board. The board has hired NextEd, a nationally recognized Christian School Consulting and Executive Search Firm, to facilitate a nationwide search for Providence’s next Head of School.
What is the role of the Search Committee?
The charge of the Board of Directors to the Head of School Search Committee is to engage in a thoughtful, thorough process to identify, assess, and ultimately recruit and recommend the best possible candidate for the Board to consider as the next Head of PCCA.
Who is on the Search Committee?
Adrienne Woods, P ‘34 ‘34 ‘38, PCCA Chair of the Board of Directors
Lee Wood, P ‘17 '21 '28, PCCA Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Brian Fugate, P ‘25 ‘29 ‘33, PCCA Board Member
Blain Erskine, P ‘13 ‘17 ‘21 '27, PCCA Board Member and Founding Family
Charla Kight, P ‘26 ‘28 ‘34, PCCA Board Advisor
What is the role of NextEd, the search firm?
NextEd is the national search firm selected by PCCA’s Board of Directors. Gary Arnold and Jay Ferguson will partner with the Search Committee to ensure a successful process and outcome. Working closely with the Search Committee, they will gather input from conversations at the school and an online survey; finalize the position description; and conduct extensive outreach into the desired candidate pools, seeking to identify leaders whose experience, backgrounds, attributes, and characteristics align with Providence Academy’s aspirations for the next Head of School. The NextEd team will support the Search Committee through the interview and recruitment process, ensuring that the candidates’ and committee’s need for information, diligence, and confidentiality are met.
How will faculty, staff, parent, student and alumni input be considered through the search process?
The Search Committee is committed to incorporating all perspectives from the Providence Academy community when making this important recommendation to the Board. There are several ways in which members of the Providence Academy community can share their thoughts and advice. First, all community members will be sent an invitation to participate in an anonymous e-survey. Second, the team at NextEd will be on campus at the end of September, gathering insight from many different groups within the Providence community. Finally, community members are able to email the the search committee members at any point throughout the search process to ask questions as well as to nominate individuals who they think would be a good fit to serve as Providence’s next Head of School.
What is the role of Jason Ross, the current Providence Academy President?
Jason will continue to lead Providence until June 30, 2027.
How do I nominate a great candidate?
The Search Committee welcomes your comments and nominations. Please feel free to contact the Search Committee with your nomination at boardchair@providence-academy.com. They will ensure NextEd receives all nominations.