Community Preparatory School’s Board of Trustees today announced that Adolphus B. Clinton has been named Head of School, effective June 1, 2026.  Clinton – known as Dolph – is not only an experienced educator and administrator, but also one of Community Prep’s early graduates – class of 1988 – and a former member of the school’s Board of Trustees, Education Committee, and Long‑Range Planning Committee.

“Dolph is not simply a gifted leader and educator,” said Dan Corley, Community Preparatory School co-founder. “As a Community Prep graduate and former trustee, he is uniquely qualified to empower our students to reach their full academic and leadership potential. He will stand before them and our community as a living example of the transformative impact of a Community Prep education.”

Clinton was selected from an outstanding, national pool of candidates and hired in a unanimous vote by Community Prep’s Board of Trustees.  According to Board Chair Polly Wall, he impressed Community Prep’s faculty, staff, students, parents, and trustees with his deep understanding of the school’s mission, creative and collaborative problem-solving skills, and experience building learning environments defined by equity, curiosity, and shared purpose.

Born in Liberia and raised in Providence, R.I., Clinton earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and philosophy from Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, Pa.) and his Master of Science in education from the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pa.). He expects to complete his Master of Business Administration degree from Merrimack College’s Girard School of Business (Andover, Mass.) in 2027.

Clinton began his career at Pomfret School (Pomfret, Conn.), serving in a variety of capacities over more than a decade:  Co-Director of Multicultural Affairs, Associate Director of College Counseling, Associate Director of Admissions, Associate Director of Alumni Engagement and, ultimately, Dean of Students.  At Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), he was Assistant Head of School and Dean of Faculty. 

Most recently, as Associate Head of School at Cheshire Academy (Cheshire, Conn.), Clinton improved cross-departmental coordination and institutional effectiveness, led development of the Center for Global Citizenship to strengthen global education and cultural awareness, reimagined health and counseling services to emphasize student growth and proactive support, and helped drive year-over-year enrollment growth.

“The decision to attend Community Preparatory School changed my trajectory and, without exaggeration, shaped the course of my life. I am committed and honored to bring new educational and leadership opportunities to another generation of Rhode Island students,” said Clinton. “As the new Head of School, my responsibility is not only to lead, but to develop leaders: faculty and staff who feel connected and empowered, students who develop their voices, and communities that work together in pursuit of meaningful goals.”