Head of School Welcome
Head of School Welcome / Board of Trustees / Faculty and Staff Directory / Employment
Welcome to Northwood School!
I am privileged to begin the next chapter of Northwood School as its newest Head of School. It is both an honor and a great responsibility to lead a gifted faculty and staff, work with a dedicated and motivated student body, and do so in the inspiring setting of Lake Placid.
Over the past ten years at Northwood, I’ve seen the school grow in ways that can only truly be felt on campus. We continue to be proud of our students’ success, whether in the classroom, on the playing field, or on the stage. Our students arrive at Northwood with a distinct passion, and they are given the time and space to pursue that passion over nine months, all while being challenged in a rigorous academic environment. Every day, they are taught, coached, and mentored by a talented and dedicated faculty, many of whom also serve as dorm parents and advisors.
We strive to know each student well and to guide them from the moment they arrive on campus to the moment they walk across the stage at graduation. In our roles, we are teachers, mentors, coaches, and older siblings, helping our students grow into young adults who are ready to lead lives of consequence.
One of our greatest advantages is our location. Lake Placid is our academic laboratory, athletic playground, and home. Here, students learn side by side with faculty as they climb Mt. Marcy, rock climb at Chapel Pond, skate ski, or train at world-class Olympic venues. Our sense of place and community is central to the Northwood experience.
At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to education. We approach our work with pride and innovation, always guided by our five core values: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Compassion, and Courage. These values prepare our students not only for success at Northwood but also for meaningful lives far beyond our campus.
Gino Riffle, Head of School
