Oakbrook Preparatory School entered a critical season of advancement and change. With a rich legacy in Christ-centered, whole-child education, the school faced the need to unify its strategic vision, strengthen board governance, and prepare for an impending leadership transition—all while maintaining stability and momentum.
NextEd’s partnership with Oakbrook began with strategic consulting and coaching, including executive team support, board development, and plan refinement. As leadership transition became imminent, the school engaged NextEd to lead a national Head of School search. In parallel, we helped the board draft updated bylaws, define the Head of School role, and implement governance best practices that would carry them forward.
In early 2024, Andy Bell was named Oakbrook’s next Head of School, the result of a transparent, mission-aligned search process. Throughout the transition, NextEd provided steady guidance to Associate Heads and board leadership—ensuring continuity, clarity, and care. Looking ahead, the partnership continues. NextEd will support Head onboarding, lead the completion of Oakbrook’s 3–5-year strategic plan, and help finalize board policy structures to strengthen sustainability and long-term impact.
From the very first call to the final interview, NextEd had a firm grasp on whether I was the right fit for Oakbrook—and whether Oakbrook was the right fit for me.
It’s difficult to put into words the tremendous help NextEd has been to me personally as Board Chair, and to Oakbrook as a school. Through a challenging year of leadership transition and financial strain, their expert, prayerful guidance in governance, structure, and finance has left Oakbrook in a much stronger position than when we began.
