Meet the Head of School

Conrad Wildsmith

With nearly three decades of experience as an educator, Conrad Wildsmith has wide-ranging expertise, from gifted education, immersive language, and Montessori education to the financial and strategic management of nonprofits.

Conrad earned his BA in Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude, from Saint Louis University and began his career teaching 4th and 5th grade in University City, Missouri. His dedication to equity led him to earn a Master's in Gifted Education from the University of Missouri. He then spent three years at Flynn Park School as a gifted instructor, creating a Gifted Student Identification Matrix to help the district identify more African-American students and diversify the gifted student population. In his leadership role, Conrad planned and implemented an advanced curriculum for gifted students and provided professional development to teachers on differentiated instruction. 

After teaching 4th grade at The International School of Paris, Conrad returned stateside and transitioned into leadership, gaining an EdS in Leadership and Policy Analysis, Suma Cum Laude, from the University of Missouri. He began his administrative tenure as Interim Head of School at Imagine Schools. There, he led the relocation of a 600-student school to a new facility, aligned school spending with budget goals, increased student enrollment, and ensured the K–8 curriculum met state standards.

As Founding Head of School at The French School in St. Louis, Conrad grew enrollment from 0 to 200 students, established a premier language immersion program, and achieved IB Primary Years Program Authorization. His leadership fostered a culture of inclusion and implemented international best practices for teaching and staffing.  At the International School of Austin, Conrad worked as the Director of Primary School, helping the School through a leadership transition before heading to Duxbury, Massachusetts, where he was Head of School at Bay Farm Montessori Academy.

 While in Massachusetts Conrad earned his Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education as well as his Credentials in Montessori Leadership and Administration from CME NY.  Among his accomplishments at Bay Farm, Conrad and his team increased enrollment by 42%, established a "right fit" tuition program (increasing net revenue by over 60%), and successfully led the school through American Montessori Society accreditation. Under his leadership, the team introduced a school-wide agriculture program—including a "micro barn" and orchard—and rebuilt the middle school facility to include an innovation laboratory. 

Before arriving at SAA, Conrad served as Interim Head of School at the Lucy School in Frederick, Maryland, with a focus on assisting the retiring founders in transitioning the school to not-for-profit status, developing the Board of Trustees with best practices in independent school governance, and streamlining all school processes, including hiring, onboarding, enrollment, and purchasing. 

Conrad was drawn to the mission of SAA through his own experience with his gifted son, which has shaped his belief that gifted children need an environment that fosters autonomy. This approach nurtures their academic prowess and builds their self-esteem, understanding, and empathy. For Conrad, educating and understanding the gifted isn't just a profession; it's a personal mission.