Head of School Doreen Kelly has announced that Jennifer Baccus, a longtime Lower School teacher and currently Associate Director of Enrollment Management at Ravenscroft, will assume the role of Head of Lower School beginning July 1. 

The transition comes as Head of Lower School Nicole Girvan assumes a new role as Head of School at Logan School in Denver, Colorado, after the close of this school year.

Baccus is well known throughout the Ravenscroft community and is already very familiar with Lower School families, faculty and staff. 

“As an experienced and highly skilled academic leader with more than 25 years of experience, Jen brings strengths in relationship building and collaboration with all members of our community,”  Kelly said in her announcement. “She has more than 18 years of Lower School classroom teaching and curriculum development experience and an outstanding track record of representing Ravenscroft as a thought leader in forums including the National Association of Independent Schools and the Enrollment Management Association.” 

Baccus holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Wake Forest University and a Master of Education in Curriculum Instruction from NC State. She received the Ravenscroft Parents’ Association Distinguished Faculty Award and the Ravenscroft Award for Excellence for her work in curriculum development in the Lower School. She has served as a mentor to several new faculty and staff and is also a Certified Lead Trainer for Lead From Here, making her highly versed at living, creating and sharing our distinctive citizen leadership programming. 

Baccus and her husband, Jarrod, are the proud parents of Mary Evans Baccus ’28, Emma DeMent ’16 and Weldon DeMent ’18. She is an avid reader, a fan of live music and Broadway musicals, and an enthusiastic supporter of both Wake Forest and NC State athletics.

“I have remained very close with the Lower School team since leaving the classroom in 2016. It has been a privilege to share the good work they have been doing with prospective Lower School families as part of the admissions team. We have seen a steady increase in interest in all Lower School grades due to their efforts to provide an exceptional experience for our youngest Ravens,” Baccus said.  

Kelly also announced that Steven Mercado, currently in his second year serving as Assistant Head of Lower School, has been promoted to Associate Head of Lower School, effective immediately. 

Baccus said she looks forward to Steven’s partnership during the transition and beyond.

“Last year, I was honored to serve as Steven’s mentor during his first year at Ravenscroft. He has consistently impressed me with his positive and calming presence, his willingness to lean into difficult conversations and his collaborative nature. We also share a love of all things NYC!,” she said. “I am thrilled that Steven has been promoted to Associate Head of Lower School and can’t wait to work alongside him as well as the rest of the Lower School leadership team and faculty.”

“Our top priority and focus will be providing a smooth transition for students and families. Nicole, Jen and the rest of the Lower School leadership team will be working together over the coming months,” Kelly concluded. “Jen is committed to family communication and will be sharing updates with our Lower School community this summer.”