St. Martin’s Episcopal School Announces Tracy L. Bonday, J.D., M.S. Ed., as Head of School

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Tracy Bonday to the St. Martin’s family,” said Samantha “Sam” Burdette, Head of School Search Committee Chair and Board of Trustees Co-Chair. “Throughout our search, Tracy’s extraordinary breadth of experience, her dedication to student growth, her deep commitment to academic excellence, and her collaborative yet decisive leadership style set her apart. We are confident she will inspire our community and lead St. Martin’s into an exciting next chapter.”

Dr. Bonday currently serves as Head of Upper School at Trinity Preparatory School, a rigorous Episcopal college preparatory school in Winter Park, Florida, serving grades 6–12. Over the course of her 25-year career, she has held a wide range of leadership roles including teacher, development director, head of school, and diocesan superintendent.

Her experience includes serving as Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Des Moines, where she oversaw 17 Catholic schools serving more than 6,300 students and led systemwide strategic planning and operational initiatives. She has also served as Head of High School at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans and Head of School at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School in Virginia. Throughout her career, Dr. Bonday has demonstrated strong leadership in strategic planning, financial stewardship, institutional advancement, and faculty development, along with a deep commitment to mission-driven education.

“I am humbled and honored to join the St. Martin’s-in-the-Field community,” said Dr. Bonday. “St. Martin’s commitment to nurturing students’ Confidence, Compassion, and Character so they become people who make the world better aligns profoundly with my own educational values. I look forward to partnering with faculty, families, and students to build upon the school’s strong academic program and to foster trust, respect, and transparency in support of the school’s mission and its vision moving forward.”

Rev. Lauren Holder, rector of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church shared, “As a parent of two students at St. Martin’s, I could not be more excited about the care, candor, and commitment Dr. Bonday will bring to our school. As rector, I am excited for the partner I have already discovered in Dr. Bonday. I look forward to rolling up our sleeves together in preparation for the coming year! I am also so grateful for the leadership of Interim Head of School Kathy Mahar these past two years. She has provided the stability and credibility needed to launch us into our school’s 70^th year and beyond.”

Dr. Bonday holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from the University of Miami.

The Board of Trustees and Search Committee extend their profound gratitude to Interim Head of School Kathleen K. Mahar for her two years of caring and thoughtful leadership. Ms. Mahar will continue to lead St. Martin’s through June. During this time, she will partner with Dr. Bonday to support a seamless transition.

An outreach of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church, St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School is an AIMS-accredited independent school in Severna Park serving approximately 235 students from Preschool through 8th Grade. The school seeks to inspire in students a love of inquiry, a sustaining faith, and a generous spirit open to ideas, peoples of the world, and a call to service. The students discover who they are as learners, leaders, and friends. The school creates a welcoming community encouraging each student to grow in Confidence, Compassion, and Character.