The Wheaton Academy Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Michael Rogers has been unanimously selected to serve as the next Head of School, beginning August 1, 2026. Click here to read our announcement.
A Message from the Board of Trustees
The Wheaton Academy Board of Trustees announces a transition in leadership. The 2025-2026 school year will be Steve Bult’s last year as Head of School.
Steve Bult was recently presented with an opportunity to lead an organization that will allow Steve to continue in his career-long passion for Christian education and spend more time throughout the year with family.
Steve writes, “Although it will be extremely hard to leave a community that we love so dearly, Pam and I are at peace as we approach a new chapter in our lives. I was presented with an opportunity to lead Mission Advancement as President. This position will allow me to continue in my career-long passion for Christian education while allowing us to spend more time throughout the year with our family. We trust the Lord’s provision and timing in this season of change.”
While saddened by his departure, the Board has expressed its enthusiastic support for Steve and his wife, Pam, and full acknowledgement of his decision.
Steve’s tenure at Wheaton Academy has been marked by significant contributions, serving as Principal and Head of School since 2006. He authored the Living Curriculum Teacher Development Model, achieved recognition as a Blue Ribbon School, and provided leadership over the most recent $30 million For Generations to Come campaign. His presence will be greatly missed by the entire community.
The Board has initiated the process of identifying and appointing his successor.
With a school history of over 170 years, we prayerfully seek God’s continued blessing and guidance to Wheaton Academy during this leadership transition. We trust that the Lord will faithfully sustain the institution, further its mission, and provide a new, godly Head of School.
Dave Torres
President of the Wheaton Academy Board of Trustees
Frequently Asked Questions
As we begin the process of identifying the next Head of School for Wheaton Academy, we know that our community will have important questions. This FAQ is designed to provide clarity and transparency throughout the process, and we will continue to update the community as the search progresses.
The Wheaton Academy Board of Trustees has appointed a transition task force to oversee the search for a new Head of School. The Board of Trustees functions as an advisory board, and because the Head of School is the Board’s sole employee, they will select the next Head of School.
The task force will honor and follow the procedures outlined in board policy. The task force, led by the current Board President, is committed to the integrity of the process, remaining consistent, transparent, and grounded in the Lord’s direction and the mission of Wheaton Academy.
Steve was recently presented with an opportunity to lead an organization, Mission Advancement, as President. This position will allow Steve to continue in his career-long passion for Christian education while allowing the Bults to spend more time throughout the year with family.
Mission Advancement is a national fundraising and consulting firm that partners with faith-based schools, nonprofits, and ministries across the country.
We acknowledge that leadership transitions often raise questions. We are grateful that Steve has faithfully and excellently led with integrity for the past twenty years. The Bults discerned that it was time to start a new chapter, and Steve continues to model humility and Christ-like character in this season of transition.
Steve will finish the 2025-2026 school year as Head of School at Wheaton Academy. Our board policy requests the current Head of School to provide twelve months’ notice of intent to leave the office. This policy allows time for the appointment of a new Head of School.
We will communicate with our school community about upcoming ways that we will honor Steve and his service at Wheaton Academy.
Reporting to the Wheaton Academy Board of Trustees, the Head of School serves as the spiritual, academic, and administrative leader of the institution, ensuring that all aspects of the school reflect its mission of “Nurturing growth in students through relationships, excellence, and service to the glory of God.” This role provides visionary leadership, cultivates a culture of excellence and discipleship, and oversees strategic planning, faculty development, and community engagement. The Head of School partners with the Board, faculty and staff, families, and church community to nurture students in both faith and learning, preparing them to impact the world for Christ.
Key leadership priorities for the Head of School include:
- Upholding the mission of the school and protecting the spiritual culture
- Hiring and developing talented Living Curriculum faculty, staff, and coaches
- Academic growth of students
- Communication with trustees, parents, and stakeholders
- Growing the Warrior Fund and the Wheaton Academy endowment
- Fundraising efforts for future campus expansion.
Responsibilities include the following:
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP: The Head of School provides visionary leadership to Wheaton Academy’s constituencies, ensuring the advancement of its mission, the security of its future, and its global impact through Christ-centered education—all for the glory of God. This includes keeping the Board of Trustees well-informed to support effective policy development and long-range planning. The Head of School is accountable for implementing Board-approved policies and achieving strategic goals outlined in the Academy’s long-range plan.
FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP: The Head of School, in collaboration with the Executive Team, ensures the financial health of Wheaton Academy by providing strategic oversight and leadership. This includes:
- Maintaining a strong financial position that supports and advances the school’s mission.
- Leading fundraising efforts to support scholarships, program enhancements, and long-term sustainability.
- Developing and executing plans to meet or exceed capital campaign goals.
- Growing the endowment and Capital Improvement Budget to secure Wheaton Academy’s future.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES PARTNERSHIP: The Head of School maintains a strong relationship with an engaged Board that provides synergy in accomplishing annual objectives.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: The Head of School fosters leadership within the Executive Team by delegating substantive responsibilities that enable each member to contribute to meaningfully Wheaton Academy’s mission and strengthen their leadership capabilities. The Head of School also identifies and cultivates emerging leaders, communicates clear expectations, and provides consistent, constructive feedback to foster growth and accountability.
WHEATON ACADEMY INSTITUTE LEADERSHIP: The Head of School shares Wheaton Academy’s best practices to the advantage of Christian educators and schools globally through the Wheaton Academy Institute. The Head of School ensures that the Wheaton Academy Institute thrives within its approved scope and under the oversight of the WA Institute Board.
AREAS OF SUPERVISION: The Head of School directly supervises the Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer; Chief Academic Officer; Principal; Director of Development; Director of Alumni Relations; and the Director of Human Resources.
Requirements include the following:
The Wheaton Academy Head of School must be a spiritually sensitive individual who understands the mission of Wheaton Academy and is deeply committed to help see it become a reality in the lives of our students by manifesting, by precept and example, the highest Christian virtue and personal decorum, serving as a Christian role model (I Timothy 4:12) both in and out of school (Luke 6:40), and as an example to parents and fellow employees in judgment, dignity, respect, and Christian living. This individual must maintain active participation in a protestant church.
The Head of School accepts without verbal or mental reservations the Educational Philosophy and Mission of Wheaton Academy as outlined in the Statement of Faith and is committed to upholding them. This person shall follow a Christian lifestyle and shall maintain a Christian church affiliation whose fundamental beliefs are in alignment with the Statement of Faith of this school. This person affirms that, as part of the qualifications for this position, he/she is a “born again” Christian who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.
The ideal candidate has a Master’s or Doctorate degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Administration, or related field; Minimum 5–10 years of leadership experience in a Christian school setting; Proven experience in strategic planning and school operations; Experience working with school boards, parent communities and other school constituencies; strong fund-raising acumen; Demonstrated success in curriculum development and faculty supervision; Experience leading spiritual formation across the school community; Familiarity with budgeting and financial oversight.
The anticipated start date for this position is August 1, 2026. A transitional period prior to this date may be considered to support continuity.
The search for Head of School will consist of four primary phases:
Phase One: Establishing the foundation–our task force will gather stakeholder input through various mediums.
Phase Two: Developing a job profile and attracting candidates–our task force will establish a leadership profile, advertise the position, and invite a select number of candidates who finished the pre-application to complete the comprehensive application
Phase Three: Screening and Evaluation–the Board of Trustees will screen applications, complete reference and background checks, and then conduct comprehensive interviews of select candidates.
Phase Four: Finalize the Decision and Conduct onboarding–our Board of Trustees will announce the new Head of School and facilitate a smooth transition.
Current Phase: The Board is now at the conclusion of Phase Three and have completed interviews with final candidates. The Board now anticipates that they will reach a final decision on the next Head of School in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned for further updates.
We ask that you continue to join us in prayer during this season—for wisdom, discernment, and the Lord’s guidance in the days ahead. We trust in God’s provision as we navigate this time of transition and leadership selection. We hold to the truth of Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
This page will continue host all updates regarding the search as they become available.
We ask that you pray for the Board of Trustees as they plan, explore options, and implement strategies related to the Head of School transition process. Pray for their wisdom, discernment, and humility as they lead the search.
We ask that you pray for Steve and his leadership over our school community this year, as well as his ability to foster a smooth transition to a new Head of School.
We ask that you pray for our administration, faculty, staff, and students as they experience the change of transition. Pray that they continue to remain faithful and unified to the Lord and the mission of Wheaton Academy during this season.
We ask that you pray that all parties will fully trust the Lord to lead us through this season. May the Lord be honored and glorified throughout the process.
We ask that you pray for a fruitful school year at Wheaton Academy. Pray the words of our year verse, found in Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
The Wheaton Academy Board of Trustees has begun the process of gathering stakeholder input for the new Head of School search. The Board wants to hear from you as a member of our community, and they ask that you complete this online survey to share your input on the next Head of School. Your answers will remain confidential and anonymous.
The Board cares deeply about your direct, honest feedback. We do ask that you complete the survey by Friday, September 26 so the task force can consolidate the input into action steps.
Our Board of Trustees will lead the search for a Head of School and welcome all questions or comments. You can contact them directly at board@wheatonacademy.org.