Stratford Academy is pleased to announce that Mr. Scott Wilson has accepted the position of Interim Head of School for the 2026–2027 school year. Mr. Wilson will begin working with the Board of Trustees and Stratford’s Leadership Team on August 1. 

Mr. Wilson brings more than four decades of independent school experience, with 24 years serving as Head of School. He most recently served as President and Head of School for Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from 2009–2021. During his tenure, he led one of the most successful periods in the school’s history, including record academic achievement and enrollment and significant curricular and program growth. 

Prior to Baylor, Mr. Wilson served as Head of School at Brookstone School in Columbus, Georgia, and Valwood School in Valdosta, Georgia. He also held positions in leadership, admissions, advising, teaching, and coaching at Baylor and Hammond School in Columbia, South Carolina. His broader independent school leadership includes service on the boards of the Southern Association of Independent Schools, the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools, and the Georgia Independent School Association. 

Since his retirement in 2021, Mr. Wilson has served as a Senior Consultant with Independent School Management (ISM), advising more than 100 schools and school leaders on governance, leadership, strategic planning, school culture, and long-term institutional strength. 

As Interim Head of School, Mr. Wilson will work closely with the Board of Trustees and Stratford’s Leadership Team to support students, faculty, staff, and families; maintain the strength of our academic, athletic, arts, and student life programs; and help ensure a focused and successful school year ahead.

Mr. Wilson also brings meaningful connections to Stratford and the Macon community. He has known and respected Stratford since his time as Head of School at Valwood. More recently, his professional respect has become more personal as his grandson, Grey, is enrolled in Stratford’s Little Eagles Early Learning program. 

“As an involved and supportive grandparent, I have had the joy of bringing Grey to campus and seeing firsthand the care and community that define Stratford,” Mr. Wilson shared. “When I learned that Stratford was looking for someone to lead the school for the 2026–2027 school year, I was more than intrigued, and my respect for Stratford has only grown through the conversations that followed with friends, administrators, and trustees who care deeply about this community.”

Mr. Wilson said his priorities for the year ahead are clear: to work alongside Stratford’s faculty, staff, and Leadership Team to ensure students experience a year marked by academic excellence, meaningful growth, connection, and support; and to work with the Board of Trustees and the Leadership Team to help strengthen the practices and systems that will support Stratford now and help prepare the school for its next Head of School. 

“I know that the heart of Stratford is found in its wonderful faculty and staff, its students, and the families who believe in the school’s mission,” Mr. Wilson said. “It is a privilege to join the Stratford family, and I pledge my best efforts to serve the school with excellence and integrity.” 

Having an experienced interim provides stability, perspective, and strategic guidance while allowing the Board to conduct a thoughtful and thorough search for Stratford’s next permanent Head of School.  

Stratford has long been guided by its values of freedom, integrity, responsibility, excellence, and community. Those values will continue to guide the school as Stratford begins the 2026–2027 school year with exceptional faculty and staff and a community rooted in pride, tradition, and excellence. 

Please join Stratford Academy in welcoming Mr. Wilson to the Stratford community.