Hilltop names new head of school
SPARTA — Hilltop Country Day School has named Peter Gordon as the new head of the school.
Gordon joins Hilltop, coeducational in preschool through eighth grade, after 10 years at Brimmer and May School in Massachusetts, where he served as middle school head.
Gordon has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Babson College, and a master’s of education from Boston University. Gordon, a 1984 graduate of The Browning School in New York, is a product of independent schooling.
“Hilltop is doing great things,” Gordon said. “I felt while looking at the needs of the school that reinvention or rebuilding wasn’t needed, but rather taking what is already here and helping the school move to the next level to become a National Association of Independent School’s “School of the Future.” This school is on the precipice of its next era of greatness.”
Gordon's vision for the school is to expand on the place it already is by growing the school in size, enhancing program offerings, and enacting industry best practices.
“I want what’s best for the students of the school and every decision I make is in the framework of is it best for our students and the mission of the school,” Gordon said.
The public is invited to attend a summer admissions event on Aug. 5 from 9:30 11:30 a.m. to meet Gordon and hear more about the educational opportunity that Hilltop can offer.
Gordon said he also wants to upgrade the school’s technology infrastructure, continue to foster the tenants and unifying themes of a 21th century school such as project-based learning, classrooms that extend beyond the walls of the school, and learning communities, support additional professional development for the faculty and staff, and begin a sports program.
In addition, the school community has identified a set of core values that guide everything that Hilltop does, honesty, respect, responsibility and kindness.
“We are in this together from the head of school to the last student. We grow together with the understanding that everything we do impacts the entire community,” he said. “And we will do everything in our power to instill that and to enact that.”
Gordon’s almost four-year-old twins Noah and Olivia will be attending Hilltop’s preschool in the fall.
“When I arrived here and I saw what Hilltop was doing and my kids spent the day here and loved it, it was a no brainer,” he said. “Students learn best in an environment in which they feel comfortable, in which they feel valued, in which they feel connected. And that is one of the many things Hilltop has to offer.”
In five years, Gordon believes Hilltop will be celebrating a major enrollment increase and an academic program that is unmatched in Sussex County and beyond. Gordon also hopes to be completing a major addition to the facility including a new gymnasium and arts center.
“I have big hopes and dreams for Hilltop,” Gordon said. “I want others to share in those hopes and dreams, and I want us as a school to show that to everybody. There’s lots of competition out there, but there is no place like our school.”