Nidhi McVicar joined Country Day in July as head of Upper School. Along with a warm and engaging personality and a collaborative communication style, Nidhi brings a wealth of experience in independent schools.
She most recently served as the assistant head of school at Germantown Academy in Philadelphia, where she co-authored and stewarded the introduction of the school’s Community Commitments, led aspects of strategic vision planning, created health and wellness initiatives across three divisions, directed faculty professional growth, and designed a new evaluation system.
Prior roles include director of Teaching and Learning at The Overlake School in Seattle, where she drove innovation and collaborative change across all school divisions. She played a key role in strategic initiatives, such as a school schedule redesign, instructional technology integration, and experiential education. She spent 12 years as a faculty member, PLC coordinator, class dean, and student advisor at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida.
Nidhi holds an MEd in school leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College, an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and a BS in accounting from Boston College. She and her husband have twins, who have joined Country Day’s sixth grade.
What excites you the most about leading Country Day’s Upper School?
Upper School is both the celebration of an enormous investment of time and effort and a prologue to future adventures. It’s this special time where students get to be the “oldest kids” and the “youngest adults.” I love helping students make connections between their many experiences as they begin to fully appreciate the bigger picture of their education.
Practically speaking, the energy and optimism of Upper School students keeps me hopeful and excited to come to work every day.
How have you stayed connected with students as you have advanced into administrative roles?
I’m lucky to have remained a teacher and/or advisor every year of my career. Teaching is at the heart of what I do with adults and young people, even in school leadership. My administrative decisions are better when I can put myself in the shoes of a teacher or student. I also like to work in community spaces other than my office when possible, so you might see me at a table in the library or dining hall chatting with people who wander by.
How will you get to know the Country Day community?
It is definitely going to take time, but I am excited to dive in. I am looking forward to experiencing all the arts, athletics, and community events that Country Day offers. I also anticipate eating a lot of lunches and taking walks with colleagues and students so that I can learn about what is important to them. The school has so much to be proud of and also a desire to continue to innovate and ask big questions. I am a strong believer in using data to inform decisions, so I know I will also send out surveys as a tool for gathering honest feedback and ideas from people across the community.
How do you inspire those around you?
I think schools are special places because we often get to witness incredible creativity and growth from those around us. My “inspiration” comes from the work my colleagues and students accomplish, so I see myself as an amplifier and connector. Sometimes, we get focused on our own lives in school and forget to take in the enormity of achievement happening. I am fortunate to have a role where I will get to experience joy across the Upper School and then share it with others.