Inspire, illuminate, lead.

Jay Rainey began his tenure as Head of School at MICDS in July 2019.

After a thorough search including a talented and diverse candidate pool, the MICDS Board of Trustees appointed Jay Rainey as Head of School in the fall of 2018.

Rainey came to MICDS from Randolph School, a K-12 independent school with 950 students, where he served as Head of School since 2014. Prior to Randolph School, Rainey spent 12 years at Norfolk Academy, where he served as a math and English teacher, coach, and college counselor before being promoted to Director of Studies and ultimately, Assistant Head for Academic Affairs.

Michelle Leith Cohen ’88, Chair of the MICDS Board of Trustees at the time, said, “Jay’s strong leadership qualities, excellent interpersonal skills, commitment to academic excellence, and extraordinary successes as an independent school educator and administrator ideally position him to lead our great school. Jay has a warm, approachable presence and collaborative style that invites and respects all points of view. He values diversity and cares deeply about building and nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community where every member feels a sense of value and belonging.”

Rainey said, “I am thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to lead a school established by the vision of William Greenleaf Eliot in 1859, advanced by previous school leaders and sustained by the dedication of faculty, administrators, and trustees today. I am committed to furthering educational opportunities for individual students in consonance with the MICDS Mission and current Strategic Plan, and I am equally committed to prioritizing a collective spirit of compassion, selflessness, and love of School during my tenure as Head of this proud and thriving School community.”

Rainey also has eight years of entrepreneurial and business experience. He earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree from the College of William & Mary. He is an avid reader and also enjoys playing piano, riding his bike, and taking walks with his wife, Ruth. Together, they have two children.