Dear Westminster Community,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jay Rainey as Westminster’s sixth President, effective July 1, 2026.

Following an enthusiastic recommendation from the President Search Committee, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Jay as our school’s next leader. With more than two decades of experience guiding some of the nation’s most respected independent schools, Jay brings a commitment to educational excellence, a collaborative leadership style, and a strong strategic vision for the future of Westminster.

Throughout his career, Jay has demonstrated a remarkable ability to shepherd connected and inclusive communities and to advance institutional priorities while remaining deeply engaged with students, faculty, and families. As the current Head of School at MICDS in St. Louis, Jay has led a vibrant JK–12 community through transformational initiatives in academics, campus planning, and global engagement. He is known by peers and colleagues for his integrity and heartfelt devotion to the mission of independent school education.

I extend my sincere gratitude to President Search Committee Chair Brand Morgan '94 and the members of the President Search Committee for their wisdom and discernment throughout this process. Their commitment to listening closely to our community and identifying a leader who reflects Westminster’s values and aspirations was both inspiring and instrumental in this successful outcome. This appointment is a direct reflection of their thoughtful work. 

We are equally grateful to the many members of our community—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents—who shared their voices, hopes, and insights throughout the search. Your engagement, diverse perspectives, and steadfast support helped shape a thorough process guided by our shared commitment to Westminster’s mission.

As we look to the future, we are confident that Jay’s leadership will inspire our community and build upon Westminster’s strong foundation and enduring commitment to its mission. We also know our entire community will welcome Jay and his family with the hospitality and spirit that define our school.

Sincerely,

Katharine Kelley ’82
Chair of the Westminster Board of Trustees

Meet Jay

Since 2019, Jay has served as Head of School at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS), a premier day school in St. Louis. There, he leads a community of 1,250 students and 162 faculty members, overseeing initiatives in academic innovation, global engagement, and campus development totaling nearly $50 million in improvements. Under his leadership, MICDS launched a dynamic Winter Term program, prioritized diversity among faculty and staff, and achieved strong family engagement and community trust.

Prior to his work in St. Louis, Jay was Head of School at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama, where he led the development of a strategic plan and campus master plan, and oversaw the acquisition of a school for dyslexic learners. Jay also spent more than a decade at Norfolk Academy in Virginia, advancing through roles from teacher and college counselor to Assistant Head for Academic Affairs.

Jay holds an undergraduate degree in Religion from Princeton University and a master’s degree in American Studies from the College of William and Mary. A graduate of Woodberry Forest School in Virginia, he is a seasoned educator with a strategic mind and strong interpersonal skills. He will join the board of the Independent School Data Exchange (INDEX) in the 2025–26 school year and is a former board member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

Jay and his wife Ruth have two children. Jed recently graduated from the University of Richmond and works for Vineyard Vines' corporate marketing team. Their daughter Elizabeth attends Colgate University and is a member of the university's swim and dive team. Jay and Ruth look forward to relocating to Atlanta and becoming active members of the Westminster community.