February 9, 2023
Cape Henry Collegiate’s Dean of Students, Greg Angilly, Appointed Head of Virginia Beach Friends School
Angilly charged with growing Virginia Beach hub for inquiry-based instruction and experiential learning starting July 2023
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The Board of Trustees at Virginia Beach Friends School, an independent and Quaker toddler through eighth-grade school, announced today the appointment of Greg Angilly, currently Dean of Students at Cape Henry Collegiate, as its next Head of School. Mr. Angilly was selected from an impressive pool of candidates and will succeed Michael Barclay, current Head of School, on July 1, 2023.
“I am thrilled to join Virginia Beach Friends School and support the incredibly talented teachers and staff at the school,” said Angilly. “Now more than ever, Virginia Beach needs an education option that centers social and emotional development and melds high-academic standards with a values-based, experiential, community-centered toddler through 8th grade experience. Virginia Beach Friends School has been a hidden gem in the community, and I look forward to helping ensure more families know about this educational treasure in their backyard.”
The Trustees’ decision to appoint Mr. Angilly was based on the unanimous and enthusiastic recommendation of the Head of School Search Committee, which began its nationwide search in October 2022.
“Mr. Angilly is a brilliant strategist, empathetic leader, and energetic visionary committed to the values-based educational program being offered at Virginia Beach Friends School,” Jean Crawford, Board of Trustees Chair, said. “His laudable experience as a dedicated administrator, academic leader, and athletic director is equal to his business insight. As our next Head of School, he will undoubtedly champion Virginia Beach Friends School’s mission, which is guided by the Quaker testimonies of educating compassionate and confident learners through the balance of whole-child education and academic rigor.”
Angilly brings over 20 years of education, administration, and classroom experience to Virginia Beach Friends School, along with a commitment to high academic standards, social and emotional learning, social justice, and community building. Mr. Angilly has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wake Forest University.
“When the Search Committee began the important work of selecting Head of School finalists, we understood that our ideal candidate needed to possess more than foundational qualifications. We needed to find an innovative and collaborative leader with the ability to continue the upward trajectory of our school and sustain our school’s excellence for years to come,” said Inde Hawkins, current parent, Trustee, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair, and Search Committee Member.
During his tenure as Dean of Students at Cape Henry Collegiate, Angilly created a comprehensive student life program, founded and chaired the Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, established leadership and academic support services, and fostered a strong sense of community and belonging for students. Angilly created the curriculum for the school’s wildly popular “The Science of Happiness Class,” being among the first educators in the country to adapt Yale’s Dr. Laurie Santos “Psychology of Happiness” in a K-12 environment.
At the Urban School of San Francisco, Angilly served as Director of Athletics for five years, where he created a thriving culture, launched a unique peer evaluation system for coaches, and fostered strategic partnerships with Under Armour and Nike. Angilly also helped close a $20 million capital campaign to build a state-of-the-art gymnasium.
“For the last 68 years, Virginia Beach Friends School has aspired to fulfill and educate the whole child through an inclusive and ambitious curriculum integrating academic skill and social and emotional development,” Sarah Combs, Assistant Director of Admissions, said. “Mr. Angilly is well-positioned to continue the thoughtful growth of our school and guide our community through the celebrations and challenges unique to us.”
Founded in 1955, Virginia Beach Friends School has a full-time teaching and faculty staff of 35, serving more than 165 students in the Hampton Roads area and is now accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year. Parents can schedule an in-person tour and learn more at vbfschool.org.
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About Virginia Beach Friends School: Located just miles from the Chesapeake Bay yet situated in the heart of the bustling Hampton Roads metropolitan area, Virginia Beach Friends School is a Quaker co-educational independent school serving students ranging from toddler through 8th grade. Virginia Beach Friends School aims to educate the whole child, developing strong academic intellect and personal character, through recognition of each child’s individual light and living the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. Small by design, Virginia Beach Friends School students see their learning come to life with balanced student-to-teacher ratio and an unprecedented level of attention to each individual learner, ensuring student success no matter the age or academic level. Founded in 1955, the school continues a 350-year tradition of Quaker educational principles committed to an inquiry-based curriculum and experiential learning. Virginia Beach Friends School is a thriving community that values diversity and inclusivity, as the student body represents a wide variety of religious faiths, backgrounds, and cultures. For more information, visit www.vbfschool.org.
