Avery Coonley School, Head of School

The Avery Coonley School is an independent day school for 320 academically bright and gifted students from age three to eighth grade in Downers Grove, Illinois. Founded in 1906 by educational innovator Queene Ferry Coonley, ACS provides an invigorating experience for children who want to be challenged, offering an accelerated and enriched curriculum and encouraging discovery through exploration. Avery Coonley students are motivated to learn and have demonstrated the potential for the scholastic achievement necessary to succeed in a challenging academic program, to become positive, productive, and respectful members of society. An ACS education helps students thrive through intellectual challenge and a focus on the arts and creative expression, physical health, character, and social and emotional growth.

We believe that the joy and excitement of learning must begin early in life. We place a high premium on developing the desire in our students to become critical thinkers and independent, life-long learners. We assist our students in realizing their intellectual, emotional, social, creative, and physical potential by promoting academic achievement, character development, self-reliance, self-confidence, independent thought, and personal fitness. We recognize and are sensitive to the unique needs of gifted children. Within a traditional structure, we provide acceleration and enrichment, and foster a supportive atmosphere that provides opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, and risk-taking.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Head of School serves as Avery Coonley’s chief executive officer, overseeing all aspects of leading and managing the School. Reporting to the Head is a strong administrative team, members of which oversee academics, admissions, finances, athletics, development and alumni relations, technology, wellness, counselling, and facilities.

Nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest should be sent to AveryCoonley@russellreynolds.com

Avery Coonley School values racial, religious, economic, and cultural diversity in our student body, faculty, and staff. The ACS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council guides us in new initiatives and advocacy.