The Board of Trustees is delighted to share some exciting news with you. After an exhaustive search process, we have successfully appointed our next Head of School, Michael Ehrenfried. This decision comes after months of concerted effort and collaboration, and we could not be more thrilled to welcome Michael to our leadership team.
Search Process
Our journey to select the new Head of School began in spring 2024. With the invaluable assistance of JobfitMatters, a respected firm specializing in Christian educational leadership searches, we embarked on a mission to find a leader who embodies the values and vision of Denver Christian. We received an overwhelming number of applications—over 50—from candidates hailing from 12 states and 3 countries. The interest in this role was a testament to the reputation and excellence of our school.
The process of narrowing down the pool of candidates was both rigorous and enlightening. We engaged in extensive interviews and conducted a thorough review process to ensure that we selected the best possible leader for our school. Throughout this journey, JobfitMatters provided invaluable support and insight, helping us identify a candidate who not only possesses the requisite skills and experience but also aligns with our mission and values.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Search Chair, Jackie Davis. Jackie’s leadership and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in ensuring the success of this search. We also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our transition advisor, Glenn Vos, our leadership team, staff, and teachers. This period of transition has been challenging, yet they have all risen to the occasion with exceptional dedication and professionalism. Their hard work and commitment to our students and community have been truly inspiring. It is because of their efforts that we were able to navigate this transition with confidence and optimism.
Introducing Michael Ehrenfried
We take great pleasure in introducing Michael Ehrenfried, who will be joining us as the new Head of School. Michael is an accomplished educational leader and strategist with over two decades of experience in design and innovation in teaching and learning, community formation, and systems change. His impressive credentials, passion for education, and deep faith in Christ make him an ideal fit for our community. Michael has spent the past twenty years at Kent Denver School, where he has held various leadership roles. For over ten years, he served as Chief Innovation and Information Officer and was a vital member of the senior administration and academic leadership teams. His contributions to Kent Denver School have been transformative, and we are excited to see the impact he will have at Denver Christian. Michael’s academic credentials are equally impressive. He holds a Masters in Theology from Western Theological Seminary, a Master’s in Education and Human Development, and Educational Technology Leadership from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from Duke University. Furthermore, Michael is an ordained Elder in the Reformed Church in America and worships at First Christian Reformed Church with his family.
Looking Ahead
We are overjoyed to announce Michael Ehrenfried’s appointment as our next Head of School. We are also deeply grateful for God’s providence in providing such a remarkable leader from within our own community. Michael’s vision, experience, and faith make him the perfect person to guide Denver Christian into the future.
As we look ahead, we do so with excitement and anticipation. The future of Denver Christian is bright, and we are confident that Michael’s leadership will help us continue to grow and thrive. Michael’s official start date is July 1, 2025. We ask for your prayers and support as Michael transitions into his new role, and we look forward to the wonderful things that lie ahead for our school.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Denver Christian School. Together, we will continue to provide an exceptional Christian education that prepares our students to engage the world with Christ’s transforming power and love.
Blessings,
Board of Trustees
Denver Christian School
Dear Denver Christian Community,
I am honored, blessed, and excited at the opportunity to serve as Denver Christian’s next Head of School. I am grateful for God’s leading and faithfulness throughout this process. I want to thank the Board for their tireless work. Their passion and commitment to Denver Christian were evident at every step.
I also want to thank you, the Denver Christian community. You have been and are going above and beyond this year to steward the school through a transitional season. I am excited to work with you in the coming years as we continue to equip students to “engage the world with Christ’s transforming power and love.” I cannot overstate how relevant this mission of Denver Christian is for education today. My wife, Maggie, and I are thrilled to have our three young boys grow and learn as part of this community. Joel, our oldest, experiences the fruit of this mission as a Denver Christian kindergartener. Isaiah and Benjamin, our younger two sons, will undoubtedly experience it as well in the coming years as they begin their educational journeys.
It is clear that Denver Christian’s aspirations of equipping the whole child through Christian formation and world-class education is not just for the flourishing of its graduates, but so they might engage the city of Denver and the world for its flourishing as well. Denver Christian’s commitment to attracting educators of impact to do this work and expanding Denver Christian’s reach to make it accessible to more mission-aligned families is consistent with its long history of faithful service to the city. And it will undoubtedly inspire innovation to continue living out our mission in a growing, 3-million-person metro area.
Now, though, I have a favor to ask. While our journeys undoubtedly encompass beauty and brokenness, in introductory moments, we ought to emphasize the beauty and focus on moments of God’s faithfulness. The board’s introduction offered that generosity to me. As I spend the next season learning about Denver Christian’s story, I invite you to participate in that spirit of generous introduction. It would be a gift if you could take a moment and share a specific story with me of Denver Christian at its best. It may be a recent story or a story from the past. It may be about you, your family, or someone in the community. But I am looking for stories that help me understand the beauty of Denver Christian. You can send them along here.
When I arrive on campus over the summer and into the fall, I look forward to deepening our introductions and learning more about your individual and family stories and how they intersect with Denver Christian. Together, we have the privilege of empowering, encouraging, and equipping a new generation of leaders to engage God’s world. I look forward to partnering with you on that journey.
For His Glory,
Michael Ehrenfried
January 24, 2025
Head of School FAQs
What are Michael’s qualifications?
For the past two decades, Michael has been a driving force in shaping the educational landscape at Kent Denver School. As Chief Innovation and Information Officer, he has consistently championed institutional excellence and growth.
Michael has a proven track record of leading successful initiatives, including:
- Strategic Vision & Leadership: Guiding institutional change and strategic vision alongside the board of trustees, contributing as an administrative team member to two successful capital campaigns (raising over $60 million), and facilitating the school’s accreditation process.
- Faculty & Staff Development: Developing a comprehensive faculty growth process, revamping staff professional development programs, and reimagining staff compensation models to enhance employee satisfaction and performance.
- Curriculum Innovation: Expanding the school’s curriculum to include a wider range of high-quality electives through partnerships with external organizations, providing students with enriched learning experiences.
- Team Leadership: Successfully recruiting, growing, and mentoring a team of 10 direct reports, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
- Operational Excellence: Managing scheduling operations efficiently and effectively.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Michael deeply values creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. He draws the core of his educational philosophy from Parker Palmer, who says, ‘to teach is to create a space where the community of truth is practiced.’ He finds immense satisfaction in building communities that nurture individual growth and helping students experience the rich truths of God’s world.
Tell me about Michael’s faith in Christ? How has his relationship with Jesus influenced him to become our next Head of School?
Michael says he is “privileged to know the gifts of God and the blessings of the church as a child of the covenant. Through my parents’ faith, I am grateful to have never known a day when I didn’t experience the beauty of God’s love for this world and for me as an image bearer of God.”
During his undergraduate experience at Duke University, he was involved in a local church, Blacknall, and a campus ministry, Cru. He says the Lord used both to set trajectories that shaped his life. At Blacknall, his “understanding of the nature of the church was deepened; exposure to multiple generations of women and men walking with God was pivotal; and a deep regard for liturgy planted the seeds of my passion for this area of the church.” At Cru, he says he was “exposed to discipleship, conferences, and Bible studies. Here, I learned how to have peer relationships, processed through my story, and was challenged to consider what a life on mission would look like.” For much of his adult life, Michael has been actively involved with Cru, revitalizing and running a chapter at the Colorado School of Mines, and as an Elder in the Reformed Church.
He says, “throughout vocation, marriage, and childrearing I find the seemingly parallel paths of my career integrating more and more. At their intersections, I recognize that education without ministry is insipid (without salt) and ministry without pedagogy is onerous (dimming the light). In our modern, fast-paced, information-rich age, integrating the concepts is critical in order to support deeper connections, fuller expressions of God, and more robust development of an individual’s gifts.”
How was the search conducted and how broad was the candidate pool?
Using the Christian executive search firm, JobfitMatters, we conducted a rigorous search, analysis, and interview process that led to meetings with final candidates in person. Every step of the way, we acknowledged our dependence on the Lord for wisdom as we prayerfully considered this decision.
We received applications from over 50 candidates from 12 states and three countries. We were blessed with several highly qualified candidates, and by God’s grace, by unanimous decision, we found our next Head of School already here at Denver Christian!
What is Michael’s start date?
Michael will join Denver Christian as the Head of School this coming summer, July 1, 2025. Glenn Vos will continue as our transition advisor helping our Leadership Team and staff through the remainder of this school year.
Will Michael be involved in the high school principal search?
Yes, Michael is eager to be involved in the selection of the high school principal and is already getting up to speed on the process.
Will Michael be on campus before starting as Head of School? Will I have an opportunity to meet him?
Michael is a Denver Christian parent whose oldest son, Joel, is in Kindergarten, so yes we expect you’ll see him and his wife, Maggie, often on campus before July 1! We are still working out opportunities to more formally introduce him to our community, so stay tuned.
I want to help Michael and his family feel welcome. What can I do?
That question is one of the things we love about Denver Christian! There will be many opportunities to make the Ehrenfried family feel even more welcome at Denver Christian, so stay tuned. In the meantime, Michael has asked those who are willing to help begin his transition by sharing a specific story of “DC at its best.” Please click the link HERE to submit your story.
I would like to contact Michael. How can I reach him?
For now, Michael is committed to finishing well at his current school. There will be future opportunities to get to know him and his family soon.
How can I share my thoughts on this decision?
You may contact the Board of Trustees at any time at dcsboard@denverchristian.org.
Dear DC Community,
Thank you for your continued patience and trust as we’ve worked through the process of selecting Denver Christian’s next head of school. Your support has meant so much to us, and we’ve deeply felt the impact of your prayers throughout this extensive search.
To recap our journey, we partnered with JobfitMatters, one of the premier Christian executive search firms in the United States, to guide us in this process. Following a thorough orientation, the Board and JobfitMatters developed a detailed search strategy, established a timeline, and conducted comprehensive research, interviews, and data collection within our school community. This work identified the critical leadership benchmarks we used to evaluate each potential candidate and their unique fit for Denver Christian. Over the past several months, we’ve dedicated significant time to marketing the position, processing and reviewing applicants, and narrowing the candidate pool.
Last week, the Board of Trustees hosted in-person visits with our top three candidates. Each candidate participated in school and area tours and engaged in extensive, meaningful interviews with the Board and members of our leadership team.
We are deeply impressed by the Christ-centered leadership and exceptional qualifications of these candidates, and we are so grateful to God for providing us with such outstanding individuals to consider for this important role.
On Monday night, the Board met to discuss our path forward. In January we hope to extend an offer to one of these exceptional candidates. We are excited to see this long and thoughtful process come to a joyful conclusion!
Thank you again for your prayers and patience as we navigate this journey together.
May God bless you and your families this Christmas season.
Blessings,
DC Board of Trustees
Dear DC Community,
We would like to provide an update on the Head of School search, as we have been
working diligently with our search firm, JobfitMatters (JFM). We take this process very
seriously and feel privileged to be in the position to serve the school and find the person
God has called to this role. We assure you that our hearts and minds are fully dedicated
to listening to God’s direction and following His will. As a parent-led Board, we share
your passion for the future of Denver Christian and are committed to continuing its
legacy.
We are in the third (and final) phase of the search process. In this phase we are
finalizing the list of candidates who have spent months in interviews and assessments
with JFM. It has been a rigorous and thorough process, and we are grateful for the
strong interest from highly qualified candidates nationwide.
The Board is preparing for finalist candidate visits in December. This time will include
campus tours, time to get to know the surrounding area, and extensive interviews. Due
to the Christmas break, we plan to have final interviews with spouses in January. It is
our deep desire and hope to nominate the next Head of School by the end of January.
We also want to stress that this timeline is fluid based on candidate availability and
schedules for all parties involved.
Denver Christian is a very desirable school, and we are blessed to be in such a healthy
position. We are thankful to be partnered with JFM, who have demonstrated genuine
care and faith throughout this process. Additionally, we thank our dedicated Leadership
Team, supportive faculty & staff and our Advisor, Glenn Vos, for their wisdom and
assistance. Finally, we appreciate the patience and trust of the DC community as we
navigate this process together. We have full faith that all the hard work poured into this
will result in a strong leader for our school.
We have felt and appreciated all the prayers covering this process. We ask that you
continue praying for our school, faculty & staff, families, the Board and JFM. Please also
pray over the hearts of our candidates and their families. We praise God for His
faithfulness and look forward to what He will continue to reveal to us.
Blessings,
DC Board of Trustees
Dear DC Community,
As we continue the search for Denver Christian’s new Head of School, we are pleased to report that, since our initial posting in the summer, we have had very strong candidate interest from across the country. For the last few months, our executive search firm, JobfitMatters, has had many in-depth conversations with high-quality candidates and has kept in close contact with our Board to ensure DC’s desires and mission to stay in focus.
Everything remains on track with our desired timeline, and we look forward to top candidate visits in the late fall as we narrow down toward final interviews in early winter. God is firmly at the center of this process, and we are thankful for the way He is guiding each step.
We continue to ask for your prayers over this process and the candidate God has appointed for Denver Christian. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email the board at dcs.board@denverchristian.org.
Blessings,
Board of Trustees
Dear DC Community,
The Board of Trustees is committed to keeping you informed during the Head of School transition. As we start the new school year, we want to update you on the current leadership structure. Simply put, nothing has changed. We are incredibly blessed and grateful for our Leadership Team, staff, and teachers who are navigating this season with such excellence and grace. We are also very thankful for Glenn Vos, who is serving as our Advisory Head of School during this transition.
Glenn has graciously served Denver Christian in this role before and has a genuine love and appreciation for our school. He is trusted by our leadership team and brings a wealth of experience and good sense. Glenn reports to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for ensuring the smooth continuity of our school year.
The organization chart remains the same as last year, with the Head of School’s direct reports including our three Principals, the Director of Finance and Facilities, the Director of Admissions, the Director of Advancement, and the Director of Extend Learning.
The Board of Trustees continues to lead the search process for our next Head of School in partnership with JobfitMatters and the Leadership Team. We meet monthly with Glenn and select Leadership Team members to discuss matters of strategic importance to the school.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email the board at
dcs.board@denverchristian.org.
Blessings,
Board of Trustees
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Dear Denver Christian School Community,
In keeping with our desire to make sure you are informed as to the progress regarding our search for a new Head of School, the Denver Christian Board of Trustees would like to provide an update on recent developments as well as the next steps we will take in the search process.
After much prayer, consultation and discussions, the Board has moved forward with an important decision related to the Head of School search. After interviewing multiple executive search firms, the Board has selected JobfitMatters, an executive search firm with expertise in Christian leader searches, to conduct a nationwide search for our next Head of School. Led by Laura Coverstone and Ed Poff, the JobfitMatters client list includes a wide variety of NGOs, nonprofits, and some very notable Christian schools, both K-12 and higher education. This organization has also served well-known Christ-centered ministries such as World Vision and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. With the Lord’s guidance, we are focused on identifying the best possible leader for Denver Christian, and we believe the team at JobfitMatters will do an outstanding job in helping us to reach this goal.
JobfitMatters has an impressive record of placing key executives in many Christian organizations and educational institutions, including over 50 Head of School searches for Christian schools, and a high longevity rate for candidates they have placed in their roles. Their methodology and expansive network, in addition to their experience in finding administrators for many Christian schools, were all determining factors in our selection.
We expect a robust and thorough search that will begin this spring. JobfitMatters will be visiting our campus to gain a deeper appreciation for Denver Christian’s culture and its mission. They will work with the Board and Leadership Team to develop marketing materials, a school profile and a comprehensive understanding of our desires for our next leader. During the summer months the Board and JobfitMatters will review applications, have discussions with targeted candidates and conduct initial interviews. In the fall, final candidates will be brought to campus for extensive interviews with various stakeholders. Our goal is to identify a finalist and enter into an employment agreement by the end of the calendar year with a start date of July 1, 2025. As we have learned, this is the typical timing for a Head of School search, and allows the candidate to give notice to their current school and make preparations to join Denver Christian as our next Head of School.
We remain committed to keeping our school community updated on developments in the search process throughout the coming months. Please join us in praying over this effort and for our current leadership, who are doing a tremendous job leading Denver Christian through this transition and, as previously announced, will provide leadership during the 2024/2025 school year. We believe we will identify the person whom God has already selected to be our next Head of School, and we humbly acknowledge our dependence on Him for His help, wisdom, and guidance.
We are grateful to be able to serve you and thank you for your continued prayers and support in this search process. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at dcs.board@denverchristian.org.
In Christ,
Denver Christian Board of Trustees
Dear Denver Christian School Community,
The Denver Christian Board of Trustees and Leadership Team have met multiple times to work through a search plan for our new Head of School. We have come a long way as a Denver Christian family in the past 100+ years, with many seasons of change. This is yet another one of those opportunities and as a Board we care deeply about Denver Christian, recognizing that we have the privilege of leading this great school and community into a bright future.
Denver Christian is in a strong position, with an excellent Leadership Team that has made significant strides in achieving the goals laid out in our strategic plan and growing enrollment numbers. We have complete faith in our current leadership, and they will continue to lead the school until we find an exceptional Head of School.
We will begin the search for our next Head of School this summer, using an executive search firm, which the Board of Trustees is currently vetting to determine the best fit. In addition, we have retained Glenn Vos to serve as a trusted advisor during this important search, as we know his experience, historical perspective and connections are invaluable. Glenn, as some might remember, aided the Board of Trustees five years ago when we went through the process of finding and hiring Matt Covey. He has over 52 years of experience in Christian education and is on the Board of Trustees for Christian Schools International.
The Board will continue to offer oversight in partnership with Glenn to support the Leadership Team during the 2024-2025 school year, in anticipation of a new Head of School starting summer of 2025.
We are very excited for the direction the school is headed and are committed to pursuing and enriching the distinctive and outstanding Christian education that Denver Christian offers to families. We are blessed with being a very strong school, with excellent leadership, and we will execute a thorough and prayerful search trusting that God will deliver the right Head of School at the right time.
We are convinced that God is leading us on a bright path forward and we thank you for your support. If you have additional questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at dcs.board@denverchristian.org.
Sincerely,
Denver Christian Board of Trustees
dcs.board@denverchristian.org
Dear Denver Christian School Community,
We wanted to share an important update regarding our Head of School, Matt Covey. After five years of dedicated service and visionary leadership at Denver Christian, Matt has been presented with a unique opportunity to serve as the Head of School at Chattanooga Christian School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This unexpected offer came as a result of Chattanooga Christian reaching out to Matt, recognizing his exceptional leadership qualities.
After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, the Covey family has decided to embark on this new journey, viewing it as an opportunity for a different kind of Kingdom impact in a Christian school setting. They believe that Matt’s leadership style is well-suited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead at Chattanooga Christian. He will finish up his duties at Denver Christian at the end of June 2024 and begin in Chattanooga at the beginning of July.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to Matt for his unwavering commitment to Denver Christian. His visionary guidance has played a pivotal role in shaping our school’s identity, and we are immensely grateful for the thriving and vibrant community we have become under his leadership.
As we bid farewell to the Covey family, we extend our heartfelt congratulations on this exciting new chapter in their lives. We are confident that God’s timing is at work, and we wish them every success and blessing in their new endeavors.
Denver Christian School will continue on with gratitude for the past and confidence in the future. Because of the diligence of the board of trustees, the leadership team, and the staff, Denver Christian is in a strong position regarding enrollment (75% growth in the past five years), academics (programmatic growth across all levels), co-curricular (exceedingly high levels of participation and success in the arts and athletics) and the faith formation of our students (development of our chapel programming and spiritual formation initiatives within teaching and learning.) We will soon begin the process of searching for a new Head of School who will carry on the vision and values that make our school special. We will be in communication with you throughout the process as it unfolds.
Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and understanding during this time of transition.
Sincerely,
The DC Board of Trustees and the Leadership Team (On behalf of the Covey family)
*Going forward you will hear more from the Board regarding the process for a new head school, search, but in the meantime please send any questions to dcs.board@denverchristian.org.