Banner image depicting Head of School Jennifer G. Landis reading to pre-kindergarten students, a professional headshot, and congratulating an Upper School graduate.

Meet the Head of School

Jennifer G. Landis

Dear Oak Knoll School Community,

It is an honor to be the Head at this extraordinary school. The mission-driven focus of the community is what drew me in, but it is the people in the community that keep me excited to come to work each day. The heritage of our Holy Child mission is infused in every aspect of school life and the clear commitment to that mission is reflected in our daily practice of educating students.

Education at Oak Knoll is intentional. Our work is focused on cultivating the growth and development of each child, helping them to identify their gifts to use them in service to God and others in addressing the challenges of the world. We know that when they leave us for the next step of their academic journey they do so with strength, compassion, purpose, and promise.

We often reflect on the words of our founder, Cornelia Connelly, who said that we must “meet the wants of the age.” How fortunate we are that such a forward-thinking educator set the vision for Holy Child education in motion. We share that mission with schools across the nation and across the globe. Our mission calls us to honor the tradition of 175 years of Holy Child education tradition in the world while also looking ahead to the future.

 

 

School leadership is an act of stewardship. Every Head of School knows that their tenure is just one chapter of a much bigger story. This notion has never felt more relevant than it does now, as Oak Knoll looks ahead to the school’s 100th anniversary in 2024.

I invite you to get to know more about Oak Knoll by looking through our website and coming to campus for a visit. I know you will be as compelled as I am to share in our story.

Sincerely,

 

 

Jennifer G. Landis
Head of School

Fast Facts

  • Education: Master’s in Education from La Salle University and Bachelor’s in Religion from Colgate University.
  • At Oak Knoll: Upper School Division Head 2014-2020; Associate Head of School 2021-2021
  • Prior to Oak Knoll: She was the Upper School Dean of Academics, Religion Department Chair, Assistant to the Upper School Head and Class Dean, Dean of Students, and Director of Student Life all at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton. She began teaching in 1995 as an eighth-grade history teacher. She has taught civics, morality, ethics, the history of religion in America, world religions, social justice, psychology and U.S. history.
  • Outside of School: Jen serves on the Board of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, on the Board at Stuart Country Day, was selected to and completed the Aspiring Heads Fellowship through the National Association of Independent Schools, and has presented at several regional and national educational conferences.
  • Hidden Talents: Loves to cook. Has run five marathons. Enjoys fly fishing and trips to the Adirondack Mountains with her family.

Letters from Jen Landis

Remote Learning Day
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Due to the weather forecast and winter storm warning, Oak Knoll School’s campus will be closed on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, and will operate on a virtual learning schedule.

Upper School runs from 8:10 to 12:30. Students should check their email from Mrs. McGroarty for more information.

Lower School students in PreK to grade 2 brought home materials from teachers for optional review and enrichment and may also log in to Clever to access all learning apps. Teachers of students in grades 3-6 will post snow day assignments on the Homework grid on Clever by noon.

All after-school activities have been canceled.