Crefeld School Names New Leader

The Crefeld School, a private educational institution in Chestnut Hill that provides individualized learning plans for students in grades seven through 12, has named a new leader.

The school's board of directors announced it has chosen Assistant Head of School George Zeleznik to be Crefeld's new head of school effective July 1.

The decision, which was announced on the school's Web site, means Zeleznik, who started his Crefeld career in 1999 as an Upper School science and math teacher, will replace the current headmaster, Mark Piechota.

"Throughout his time at Crefeld, George has made significant contributions to the school community...," the school's online statement reads in part.

"George has been a passionate believer and tireless advocate for Crefeld and its educational mission. He not only understands implicitly the values and ethos of Crefeld, he has helped to define them as Crefeld has evolved."

The statement goes on to say that Zeleznik was integral in helping the school recently become accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools. 

The announcement appears to have been met with excitement and approval. Zeleznik received a handful of congratulatory comments on the school's Facebook page, including one from a woman identified as Penny Rawlings who wrote, "I can't imagine anyone more deserving."

According to its Web site, the Crefeld School was founded in 1970 as an educational institution whose goal was to "pioneer a progressive learning community for secondary school students. Crefeld’s primary strategies for student success are personal attention, flexible and creative approaches to problem-solving, focus on demonstration of essential skills and knowledge, and respect for both individual and community values."

The school is guided by the tenants of "progressive education," which, the site states, is partly defined as focusing on each individual and the development of the whole child. Hands-on learning is an integral part of the education plan at Crefeld.