By Science & Arts Academy
Science & Arts Academy (SAA) announces the appointment of Dr. Ari Frede as the new Assistant Head of School. Earlier this year, SAA embarked on a nationwide search and Dr. Frede’s embrace of the school’s mission and philosophy stood out to Head of School Tim Costello, SAA faculty, and administration.
Assistant Head of School Dr. Ari Frede will work closely with Head of School Tim Costello and serve as the Chief Instructional Officer, responsible for the supervision and support of all teachers and instructional staff. In addition, his role will include supporting teachers and promoting a culture of growth that meaningfully advances SAA’s priorities and strategic initiatives.
Assistant Head of School Dr. Ari Frede will work closely with Head of School Tim Costello and serve as the Chief Instructional Officer, responsible for the supervision and support of all teachers and instructional staff. In addition, his role will include supporting teachers and promoting a culture of growth that meaningfully advances SAA’s priorities and strategic initiatives.
Dr. Frede was attracted to the school’s special focus on gifted education and its strong and committed community. An accomplished educator and lifelong learner, his rich and varied career spans two decades and reflects his commitment to reflective leadership, social justice and equity, and empowering students and teachers. “I am thrilled to join SAA as Assistant Head of School. I have already begun working with SAA's expert faculty in advancing their goals to educate gifted children to the height of their potential in a challenging world. Primary among these are continuing to establish SAA as a Center for Excellence for Gifted Education, and living our values as a community embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Dr. Frede brings experience teaching students in inner cities and the rural South, from elementary to high school, Special Education and general education, in Massachusetts, New Orleans, Mississippi, and Winnetka, Illinois. He has served as a Principal Intern and Assistant Principal with Chicago Public Schools and later founded an arts-based elementary charter school in Chicago and based his doctoral capstone on the experience. Most recently he served as Head of School for the Ancona School, a progressive, Montessori-fusion school on Chicago’s south side, before joining SAA.
He attended Hampshire College, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he earned a doctorate in Urban Education Leadership in 2017.
Head of School Tim Costello says, “Ari is an immensely talented educator, administrator, and thought leader, who brings a passion and enthusiasm for advancing SAA’s mission through a student centered approach to leadership and decision making. I am delighted to welcome Ari and his family to SAA and look forward to a lasting partnership.”
Dr. Frede brings experience teaching students in inner cities and the rural South, from elementary to high school, Special Education and general education, in Massachusetts, New Orleans, Mississippi, and Winnetka, Illinois. He has served as a Principal Intern and Assistant Principal with Chicago Public Schools and later founded an arts-based elementary charter school in Chicago and based his doctoral capstone on the experience. Most recently he served as Head of School for the Ancona School, a progressive, Montessori-fusion school on Chicago’s south side, before joining SAA.
He attended Hampshire College, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he earned a doctorate in Urban Education Leadership in 2017.
Head of School Tim Costello says, “Ari is an immensely talented educator, administrator, and thought leader, who brings a passion and enthusiasm for advancing SAA’s mission through a student centered approach to leadership and decision making. I am delighted to welcome Ari and his family to SAA and look forward to a lasting partnership.”
RSS Feed
