Headmaster Mertz at a recent student assembly

Headmaster’s Page

On July 1, 2001, Peter Mertz became the eighteenth Headmaster of North Yarmouth Academy. A native of Albany, New York, he is a graduate of The Albany Academy and Williams College.

Mr. Mertz’s thirty year career in independent education began with a position as teacher and coach at his alma mater, The Albany Academy, where he eventually served as Director of Admission and Financial Aid. In 1983, he left to assume the same position at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Florida, where he also continued to teach. While in Florida, he earned his MBA from Barry University in Miami Shores.

In 1990 Mr. Mertz assumed his first Headmaster position, at Walden School in Louisville, Kentucky. During his tenure at Walden he increased enrollment and annual giving, directed the school’s first ISACS accreditation, and restored financial integrity to the school’s budget.

Since 1993, he has held leadership positions at Brookwood School in Thomasville, Georgia and Annie Wright School in Tacoma, Washington. During this time he served as Headmaster at Brookwood and Assistant Headmaster at Annie Wright. His assignments included the development of technology-based curriculum as well as responsibility for several significant fundraising projects.

In February of 2010, Mr. Mertz announced that he will be stepping down following the 2010-2011 school year after ten years of service. “I have had the privilege to guide this institution through the development of a strategic plan, a campus master plan, a growth initiative and the NEASC ten-year accreditation process. Together we have raised unprecedented levels of giving, to significantly enhance the campus with the building of the Priscilla Savage Middle School, the new Science Center, the impressive renovation of Russell Hall and the enhancements to our athletic facilities with the new turf field and the arena improvements. I leave knowing that all of these steps have positioned the school for a positive future. I am also pleased with the emphasis we have placed on integrity, honesty and respect that continues to be the keystone of the NYA experience,” said Mr. Mertz in a letter to the Chairman of NYA’s Board of Trustees, Richard Abbondanza, announcing his resignation.

In response to Mr. Mertz’s resignation, Abbondanza stated in a letter, “Peter, you have led NYA through an unprecedented period of expansion and improvement. When you arrived many of the facilities on campus were in need of serious maintenance and renovation and there was also a need for additional facilities that would advance and strengthen the educational program at the Academy. During your tenure we have made great strides in that regard. You have reached out to our alumni and brought many of them back to support NYA, with several serving on the Board of Trustees. Our reputation as an academic institution of excellence has continued to grow under your leadership and the public recognition of the quality of our school is a tribute to your hard work, character and success. The NYA community is grateful for all that you have achieved on our behalf and for all that you have meant to all of us.”

Mr. Mertz and his wife Lisa live in Cumberland. Their son, Pete, graduated from NYA in 2008 and is attending Williams College.