KENTS HILL – An Augusta native will step into the headmaster’s role at Kents Hill School in July.

The private boarding school announced Thursday that it’s hired Jeremy LaCasse to lead the school when Rist Bonnefond, who’s served as headmaster 21 years, leaves his post at the close of the school year.

LaCasse’s hire is the result of a national search that attracted dozens of candidates for the Kents Hill headmaster’s job. He was the unanimous choice of the hiring committee, according to the school.

“All of us were impressed by Jeremy’s experience, wisdom and energy,” Steve Akin, president of the Kents Hill board of trustees, said in a statement. “He is an outstanding educator who leads by example, and we couldn’t be more pleased that he is coming to Kents Hill.”

LaCasse is currently head of the Senior School at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa., a position he’s held since 2007. He started his private school career as a teacher and coach at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass., where he’s also an alumnus.

He’s also worked at Colorado’s Fountain Valley School, where he taught U.S history and served as dean of students.

“My family is so excited to be returning to central Maine and joining the Kents Hill School community,” LaCasse said in a statement. “Kents Hill is a wonderful place doing fantastic work educating students from Maine and around the world.”

LaCasse is a 1994 Bowdoin College graduate. He also holds a master’s in educational administration from Columbia University’s Teachers College.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.