About St. John’s / Head of School Welcome
Head of School Welcome
Dr. David Peden serves as Head of School at St. John’s Episcopal School, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in Christian and independent schools. Throughout his career, he has been committed to creating school communities where students are known and loved, faculty are supported in their professional growth, and mission-centered innovation helps schools thrive.
Before joining St. John’s, David served as Assistant Head of School at The Galloway School in Atlanta, where he worked alongside the Head of School to advance strategic initiatives involving enrollment, faculty development, advancement, finance, and institutional planning. Earlier in his career, he served as Head of Upper School at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama, where he led the development of signature academic programs, expanded student leadership opportunities, strengthened the school’s student learning support services, and helped lead the successful merger with The Greengate School, one of only 14 schools in the nation accredited by the Orton-Gillingham Academy for Practitioners and Educators. He also founded Battle Ground Academy’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, helping establish one of the country’s earliest four-year entrepreneurship curricula for high school students. David began his career teaching history, economics, and Bible while coaching multiple sports at Brentwood Academy and Middle Tennessee Christian School.
David earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from Fordham University, a Master of Education in Independent School Leadership from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Mississippi, where he was a member of the football team and recognized on the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll. While in graduate school at Fordham University, he was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Sigma Nu (Jesuit) honor societies.
Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, David and his wife, Mandy, have two children in college, Madison and Tyler. Outside of school, he enjoys attending live music concerts, sporting events, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with family.