Rene Menard brings over 30 years of experience in teaching and school leadership to his role as Head of School at Thornton Academy, a position he has held since 2012. Beginning his career as a teacher, coach, and dorm parent at Fryeburg Academy, he is committed to the unique and historic mission of the “town academy” model of northern New England – one that serves publicly funded students with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, abilities, and needs, alongside traditional day and boarding students. Rene holds an M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Maine Association of Independent Schools and previously served on the board of the Independent School Association of Northern New England, helping to initiate a merger with AISNE in 2020.
