New High School Principal Marc Lindner visited the Upper School on Wednesday, March 30, and took the opportunity to speak with high school students during lunch.

During Lindner’s visit with over 20 high school students, he asked them about themselves and what they liked about CESJDS. He also asked the students if there was anything they wanted to improve about JDS.

Most students said that they liked the close relationships between students and teachers at JDS. The few students who spoke about what they would like to improve at the school said that they would like more input and information about the changes taking place at the Upper School.

Lindner said that although he enjoys working with both middle and high school students, he is excited to be working with high-schoolers again after working with middle school students for the past five years.

“In high school, I think that often there are more options for students as far as classes and areas of study,” Lindner said. “I like the idea of helping to prepare young people for the next stages of their lives. There’s a bit more of a focus on that when you’re dealing with a high school population.”

Freshman Liam Shemesh, who attended the lunch meeting with Lindner, said that although it was difficult to gauge the type of principal Lindner will be in the short time they met, he liked the discussion that Lindner had with the students.

“It seemed like he wanted to take what we were saying into account,” Shemesh said. “It definitely seemed like he was trying to get to know us rather than just get our anonymous opinions.”

JDS hired Lindner to be the high school principal a year ago, after searching for the right candidate for two and a half years.

With Lindner as High School Principal, current Interim High School Principal and Dean of Students Roz Landy will work full time next year as the dean of students.

Head of School Mitchel Malkus said that in order to find a principal, JDS hired an outside search firm which found candidates and collected their resumes. There was also an internal search committee of faculty and staff at the Upper School, which interviewed candidates.

Malkus said that JDS’ search committee met with the candidates and decided who would return after the initial interviews and screenings, a process that took about 18 months.

“We had [the candidates] speak to parents and sit in on classes and share their educational philosophy with us, and then, technically, the committee makes a recommendation to me and I hire the person,” Malkus said about the hiring process.

After his meeting with the students Lindner said that he was excited to work with the high school students at JDS.

“Because I just spent time with a group of high school students, I think I’m most excited to join this community and be a part of it and work with the students here,” Lindner said.