Head of School Transition

Dear French American School of Princeton Community,

I am deeply honored, humbled, and truly thrilled to be appointed as the next Head of School of the French American School of Princeton. I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for their confidence, and I am excited to join a community that so clearly lives its mission every day.

Throughout the search process, I had the privilege of speaking with parents, students, faculty and staff, trustees, and members of the Search Committee. I genuinely enjoyed every single conversation. I was struck not only by the warmth with which I was welcomed, but by the shared sense of purpose, care, and ambition that unites this community. Your commitment to bilingualism, academic excellence, and the development of thoughtful, engaged global citizens was both inspiring and energizing.

As the French American School of Princeton celebrates its 25th anniversary, I want to acknowledge with deep respect the founding Head of School, Corinne Güngör. Her vision, leadership, and dedication laid the foundation for the vibrant, values-driven school that exists today. It is a privilege to step into this role at such a meaningful moment in the school’s history, one that builds on a proud legacy and looks confidently toward the future.

I am especially excited to lead FASP into its next chapter, strengthening its position as a leader in bilingual and multicultural education. I feel a strong personal connection to the mission of the school. I believe in an education that challenges students intellectually while also grounding them in a deep sense of belonging, purpose, and responsibility to others, an approach that is powerfully reflected in FASP’s bilingual and multicultural community. In this nurturing environment, students are learning how to navigate complexity, embrace multiple perspectives, and see themselves as active participants in a global community.

I am eager to partner with the faculty and staff, whose dedication to both excellence and care is evident, and to work closely with families and trustees to continue advancing the school’s mission. Together, we have an exciting opportunity to build on FASP’s strong foundation and to shape a future that is bold, inclusive, and rooted in shared values.

Thank you again to the Search Committee for their thoughtful and tireless work, and to the entire community for the openness and generosity you extended to me throughout this process. I cannot wait to begin this journey with you.

With gratitude and excitement,
Fabrice Urrizalqui

February 4, 2026

Dear Members of the FASP Community,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Fabrice Urrizalqui as the next Head of School at FASP, effective July 1, 2026. Following a comprehensive national and international search process that thoughtfully engaged faculty, staff, parents, students, and trustees, the Board of Trustees unanimously selected Mr. Urrizalqui.

Mr. Urrizalqui brings more than two decades of experience in French-American and international education, most recently at The International School of San Francisco, where he has served since 2004. A dual French and American citizen, his professional journey has been shaped by international education and a deep personal connection to both cultures. Currently serving as Middle School Principal and Assistant Head of School for French Affairs, Fabrice has been a key member of the senior leadership team, partnering closely with the Head of School on institutional strategy, enrollment, and long-range planning.

The Board’s decision reflects Fabrice’s demonstrated record of educational leadership, his deep commitment to bilingual and independent school education, and his strong alignment with the mission and values of FASP. Throughout the search process, he consistently impressed the Board with his enthusiasm, collaborative leadership style, academic focus, sound decision-making, and respect for tradition, qualities essential to strengthening our School. We are confident that he brings the experience, judgment, and vision required to lead our School in the years ahead.

Mr. Urrizalqui’s experience spans enrollment management, advancement, academic leadership, and strategic planning. He has played a central role in leading complex initiatives, partnering effectively with boards and parents, strengthening institutional relationships with French educational organizations, and guiding complex accreditation processes. His ability to balance vision with execution, and tradition with purposeful innovation, positions him well to guide FASP into its next chapter. As an accomplished instructional leader, Fabrice has overseen the implementation of rigorous bilingual programs aligned with the French Ministry of Education while preparing students for both the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the French Baccalaureate pathways. He launched the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), supervised and hired more than 50 faculty and staff members, and managed a $5 million divisional budget.

Mr. Urrizalqui holds advanced degrees from Sciences Po Paris and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), as well as a Master of Education from Institut National Supérieur du Professorat et de l’Education. He has also completed the NAIS Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads.

The Board of Trustees extends its sincere and deep gratitude to the members of the Search Committee and to all who contributed their time, insight, and care to this important process. The Board approached this decision with great seriousness, fully mindful of the responsibility entrusted to us by the community. We are grateful to Carole Everett and George Sanderson, partners at Educators Collaborative, for their expert guidance and support throughout the search.

The Board of Trustees is especially grateful for Corinne Güngör’s leadership, thoughtful engagement, and strong support throughout this process. We are equally appreciative of her team, whose flexibility, professionalism, and steady partnership contributed meaningfully to a smooth, productive, and ultimately successful search. While we will deeply miss Corinne, we are confident that Fabrice will be a strong and well-suited successor to her legacy. Corinne and Fabrice will work closely to ensure continuity and a thoughtful handoff as the School moves forward.

Over the coming months, the Board will work toward a well-coordinated transition in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year. Educators Collaborative will continue to partner with the School for one year following Fabrice’s appointment to support the transition.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Fabrice Urrizalqui to the FASP community. We look forward to introducing him further in the months ahead and to working together in support of the School’s continued excellence.

Sincerely,
Yeganeh (Yegi) Hayeri
Chair, Board of Trustees
French American School of Princeton