NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Friends Seminary, New York City’s oldest continuously operated coeducational independent school, announced today the planned retirement of Bo Lauder, Head of School, at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year. Upon his retirement in 2026, Lauder’s 24-year tenure will mark a historic milestone as the longest-serving Head of School in Friends Seminary’s 240-year history. His visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and deep commitment to Quaker values have left an indelible mark on the School and its community.
Since becoming Principal (now Head of School) in 2002, Bo Lauder has led Friends through extraordinary growth and transformation. Highlights of his tenure include:
- Establishing the Center for Peace, Equity, and Justice, which fosters core values of equality, diversity, and community engagement in alignment with Quaker testimonies.
- Increasing the percentage of students receiving financial aid from 19% to 23% and total financial aid budget from $2.1M to $6.9M between 2004 and 2024.
- Introducing Arabic into the curriculum, making Friends the first independent school in New York City to offer the language as part of its program.
- Growing the student body by approximately 150 students and adding a third section to the Lower School in response to increased demand.
- Establishing the Chapman Academic Center and launching free community breakfasts to promote connection and support for all students.
- Overseeing three major campus redevelopment projects, transforming Friends’ facilities into a fully ADA-accessible, state-of-the-art environment that will serve students and faculty for decades.
- Successfully leading multiple capital campaigns, resulting in over $60 million raised, and increasing the School’s endowment tenfold to over $40 million.
One of Bo’s most emblematic accomplishments is the addition of the James Turrell Skyspace, an extraordinary work of contemporary art inspired by Quaker aesthetics and values. This permanent installation exemplifies Bo’s innovative approach to leadership, blending the School’s historical mission with a bold vision for the future.
“Bo Lauder’s tenure has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Isaac Henderson, Clerk of the Board of Trustees. “Under his guidance, Friends Seminary has grown stronger in every way. His efforts over more than two decades ensure that the School is extremely well-positioned for its next chapter, and we are profoundly grateful for his leadership.”
The Board of Trustees has commenced a comprehensive search process for Friends’ next Head of School. Carney, Sandoe, and Associates, a highly regarded national search firm with experience in Quaker institutions and New York City independent schools, has been retained to assist in the search. The process will also prioritize input from diverse stakeholders across the Friends Seminary community.
“Friends Seminary is at its strongest point in history, poised to attract a dynamic and visionary leader to build on Bo’s incredible legacy,” added Henderson. “We are committed to an inclusive and transparent search process for a Head of School who will guide Friends into an exciting future.”
For ongoing updates about the Head of School search, please visit www.friendsseminary.org/headofschoolsearch.
About Friends Seminary
Founded in 1786, Friends Seminary is the oldest continuously operated, independent, co-educational K-12 school in New York City.
Friends Seminary educates students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, adhering to the values of the Religious Society of Friends. We strive to build a diverse school where students exercise their curiosity and imagination as they develop as scholars, artists and athletes. In a community that cultivates the practices of keen observation, unhurried reflection, critical thinking, and coherent expression, we listen for the single voice as we seek unity. The disciplines of silence, study, and service provide the matrix for growth: silence opens us to change; study helps us to know the world; service challenges us to put our values into practice. At Friends Seminary, education is rooted in the Quaker belief in the Inner Light – that of God in every person. Guided by the testimonies of integrity, peace, equality, and simplicity, we prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be.
For more information, visit www.friendsseminary.org.
