School History

Mr. F. Alden Shaw started the school in 1914 and remained the Headmaster until 1961. He continued teaching at the school until his death in 1993.

Mr. Shaw guided the school through two world wars, and several campus moves until settling in the current location at Lahser and 13 Mile Rd which was considered Birmingham in 1957. Through his tenure his focus was always to develop the whole child and took to heart his motto for the school: mens sana in corpore sano - a sound mind in a sound body.

Dr. Snelling was the Headmaster of the school from 1961 - 1966. During his time there he doubled enrollment, fundraised to bring a football and track field to the Birmingham campus. He also helped initiate the campaign to add a Learning Center.

Dr. Schlegel became the third Headmaster of the school in 1967 and remained at the helm until 1986. During his tenor he expanded the music and fine arts programs, added the Shaw gymnasium, initiated a preschool and foreign exchange program, and also oversaw the purchase of the Village and Maple Road Campuses.

After many years of being a member of the math faculty and department head, Mr. Hansen became our fourth Headmaster in 1986. During his tenor a Middle School was built and became our Hillview Campus. Also the addition of the Seligman Performing Arts Center, the Barbara Plamondon Earle Early Learning Center (the Hamlet), Village Campus expansion, and the Global Campus Campaign which updated the high school with new administrative offices and a science wing. Mr. Hansen remained Headmaster until 2007.

Mr Shilling had been a long-time history faculty member and school administrator before becoming the Headmaster in 2007. Under Mr. Shilling's leadership the Cooper Gymnasium, the Gerald T. Hansen Athletic Complex, and the Glen P. Shilling Field House were completed.  Other big additions to the school include the Nicole and Stephen Eisenberg Studio Theatre, a new Middle School wing, and the new Lower School building connected to the existing Barbara Plamondon Earle Early Learning Center (the Hamlet) at our Maple Road Campus. Mr. Shilling retired on June 30, 2020. 

Mr. Dempsey began his tenure on July 1, 2020 with over 23 years of experience as an administrator and teacher in both independent day and boarding schools. He was the Associate Head of School for six years at Pomfret School in Pomfret, Connecticut. Prior to his position at Pomfret School, he spent six years at Rocky Hill School in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, first as Assistant Head of the Upper School/Dean of Students and then for five years as the Head of the Upper School. Mr. Dempsey began his career in education at St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island, where he is also an alumnus. During his 11 years at St. George's, he taught math and science and held administrative positions including Director of Summer Session and Associate Dean of Students. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College and a Master of Education degree from Boston University. He completed the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads.