Dennis Bisgaard, Penn Charter's Interim Head of School

Penn Charter is pleased to announce Dennis Bisgaard as interim head of school for a two-year term, effective August 20, 2026. As he assumes this role, the school will launch a comprehensive 18-month national search for a permanent head of school to begin in 2028. 

A nationally recognized independent school leader, Dennis has over 20 years of experience, serving as both a head of school and interim head of school at top schools across the country. Most recently, Dennis was the head of Maret School in Washington, D.C., where he led the launch of the school’s strategic plan, “Advancing with Purpose,” completed the school’s AIMS accreditation self-study, acquired and purchased new home athletics fields, conducted K–12 curricular reviews in a number of departments, and helped to bring to life new outdoor gathering spaces for the greater community.

Prior to Maret, Dennis served as interim head of school at Friends School of Baltimore, Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, and The Northwest School in Seattle. He also spent 12 years at Kingswood Oxford School in Connecticut, where he worked to expand fundraising, enhance curricular opportunities and secure new facilities. During his tenure, he established the Kingswood Oxford Leadership Institute for Educators of Color to help identify and develop future independent school leaders. Dennis has also served on the Board of Trustees of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and is a member of the Heads Collegiate Forum and Heads and Principals Association.

Dennis received his MA in educational administration (private school leadership) at Columbia University, Teachers College at The Klingenstein Center, where he was a member of the International Honor Society in Education. He also received his Candidatus Magisterii degree in British & American literature and physical education (equivalent to MA/PhD) from Odense Universitet (University of Southern Denmark). Early in his career, he spent time in Philadelphia as the recipient of Temple University’s inaugural “Thanks to Scandinavia Foundation” Post-Graduate Fellowship.

After beginning his career as an English and physical education teacher and coach at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Dennis served in the dual role as classroom teacher and administrator at Collegiate School in New York City, associate head at Shady Hill School in Cambridge, and founding head of School at Whittle School & Studios in Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Monica, also an educator, with a background in counseling psychology, have devoted their lives, both professionally and personally, to championing the education, well-being and growth of young people and emerging leaders.

From the beginning of our search, Penn Charter has sought an experienced, capable leader who can empower and support our dedicated faculty and staff and lead growth and continuous improvement. We looked for an interim head whose presence, warmth and capacity for genuine engagement would reinforce Penn Charter’s mission, culture and Quaker values. We believe Dennis will not only serve as a stable leader for the next two academic years but will also continue to advance Penn Charter’s essential strategic planning work in preparation for a permanent head of school to begin in 2028.

 “Dennis impressed the search committee with his focus on both steady and strategic leadership during this important time," said Greg Summers OPC ’89, P ’23, ’26, co-clerk of the search committee. “There are few school leaders in the country who have the breadth of experience leading as an interim head. In selecting Dennis, the board felt confident that Penn Charter will continue to advance in every realm.”

“There are schools one comes to understand over time, and others whose character you feel almost immediately,” Dennis shared. “During our visit, my wife, Monica, and I felt something distinctive about Penn Charter—in the warmth of its people, the vitality of the campus, and the quiet strength of its Quaker values. I am deeply honored and humbled to become part of this remarkable community.”

We are thrilled to welcome Dennis to the Penn Charter community!