Doar joined North Shore in 1980 as Lower School Head and also served as Director of Admissions. In 1989, he become Lower School Head of Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY, and returned to North Shore in 1996 to work in Development and Admissions. He became North Shore’s eighth Head of School in 2000.

According to James Lumberg, Chair of the Board of Trustees, “Tom will depart as one of the School’s most impactful leaders in its nearly 100-year history, and with the full admiration and gratitude of the School’s Board of Trustees and community.

“North Shore has never been stronger. We have record enrollment in terms of the number, quality and diversity of our students; our campus and classrooms have been transformed with world-class facilities and teaching spaces; we have a distinguished faculty and administration; our School is positioned at the forefront of independent-school education as the result of new and innovative academic programs; and our last three capital campaigns have strengthened our resources for teaching, solidified our financial strength, and enhanced the School for generations to follow.”

The School will conduct a national search for a new Head of School. Doar will continue to lead North Shore over the next 14 months, keeping a focus on teaching-and-learning excellence, completion of the School’s current Strategic Plan, and delivering day-to-day on the School’s mission and values.

“I am convinced this is the ideal time to embark on a Head of School search,” said Doar. “The School is approaching important milestones including the creation of a Strategic Plan for 2017-2021 and preparations for our Centennial Celebration in 2019-2020. It is in the best interests of North Shore to have our next Head of School in place in advance of these initiatives.”

North Shore Country Day School, established in 1919, is a private, college-preparatory school of 530 students in grades junior kindergarten through 12th grade, located at 310 Green Bay Road in Winnetka.