Ari Leubitz

Dynamic and visionary Head of School with a proven record of leadership at some of the most respected Jewish day schools in the U.S. Currently leads a thriving, mission-driven institution of 1,350 students and 300 faculty and staff, representing diverse nationalities, levels of observance, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Recognized for transforming Scheck Hillel into Florida’s most selective Jewish school—achieving full enrollment, elevating academic performance, and driving record-setting fundraising outcomes.

Oversees all facets of a Blue Ribbon independent school, including academics, operations, a $40M annual budget, $1.5M in fundraising, and a $50M campus expansion—while championing faculty excellence, student experience, and a values-driven culture.

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Academics and Educational Vision:
Promote a rigorous, student-centered education that integrates general and Judaic studies. Guide division heads in hiring and developing top-tier faculty and ensure academic excellence across all divisions. Student achievement has reached record highs, including 66 AP Scholars in 2024 and multiple National Merit and National Scholars. Lead efforts to promote cross-divisional continuity, deepen Jewish learning and identity, and advance excellence in Hebrew language and Israel education. Foster a reflective, intellectually curious, and mission-driven culture that prepares students to lead with purpose in both Jewish and global communities.

Strategic and Institutional Leadership:
Set the strategic direction for all aspects of school operations, from admissions to advancement, ensuring long-term sustainability and innovation. Enhance alignment across academic, Judaic, operational, and co-curricular programs. Promote an inclusive, nurturing environment grounded in Jewish values and responsive to the needs of today’s families. Partner with leadership to implement data-informed strategies that elevate the student experience and academic outcomes, positioning Scheck Hillel as a national model of excellence.

Capital Expansion and Financial Stewardship:
Spearheading a $50 million campus expansion to accommodate future growth and innovation. Serve on the land acquisition committee, supporting strategic zoning and development planning. Collaborate with the CFO to ensure sound budgeting, financial sustainability, and resource allocation aligned with strategic priorities. Lead financial planning around key initiatives including faculty compensation, infrastructure expansion, and program development.

Development and Advancement:
Recruited and lead a high-performing development team that has surpassed fundraising goals every year of tenure. Cultivate major donor relationships, expand annual giving participation, and align advancement efforts with capital and scholarship priorities. Central to the school’s fundraising and lead external ambassador, strengthening community and philanthropic engagement across South Florida and nationally.

Enrollment Growth and Community Engagement:
Design and implement a forward-thinking admissions strategy that has resulted in full enrollment and increased mission alignment. Achieved a 92% accepted-student retention rate, supported by strategic communications and an award-winning admissions campaign recognized with a 2023 CASE Circle of Excellence Award. Build meaningful relationships with current and prospective families, alumni, and community leaders to reinforce Scheck Hillel’s visibility and reputation for excellence.

Best-in-class leadership talent:
►Recruited highly qualified leadership team: including CFO, COO, Chief Advancement Officer, Director of Student Services, and Director of Differentiation
►Introduced leadership Coaching and mentoring program.
►Built internal & external talent pipelines

With two decades of experience, I help leaders unlock their nonprofit's full potential and create lasting, positive change in your community. Through a collaborative and personalized approach, I'll work with you to propel your institution into a mission-driven, strategically focused, and sustainable organization with a clear roadmap for success.

Using tailored consulting and proven tools, I align leadership vision with actionable strategies, enhance team performance, and improve communication. I help build high-functioning teams capable of navigating transformation and achieving long-term sustainability, driving breakthrough results and lasting success. Together, we work towards long-term sustainability and creating a lasting impact for their organization and the community they serve.

• Served as a coach and trainer for the Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI).
• Prepared new and aspiring leaders from North America to work in Jewish day schools through ongoing coaching, retreats, and site visits.
• Team taught a three-week summer intensive that offers engaging experiential learning opportunities,  cutting-edge leadership development, and the opportunity to collaboratively problem-solve with North American peers. 
• Alongside other nationally recognized Heads of School planned and taught 2-3 day seminars on various topics related to leadership.

Responsible for the successful merger of two legacy institutions into one highly functioning unique mission-driven infant through 12th-grade school.

• Oversaw the daily needs of 500+ students, 150 staff, and manage all aspects of an 11M budget.
• Successfully introduced a progressive educational vision and created a strategic 3-year plan to actualize this vision. 

• Visioned, planned, and directed the completion of a two-phase capital campaign, including the building of a new high school building (phase 1) and subsequently a school athletic center (phase 2).
  • Successfully raised over $18M for Capital and Sustainability projects.
  • Partnered to increase the annual fund and scholarship funds to record amounts. 
• Created a balanced budget in all years leading the school after numerous consecutive years of seven-figure deficits, high levels of debt, and needing borrowed funds for payroll, to a debt free school with adequate operating reserves.
  
  • Reduced operating costs by 12% (over three years) while increasing student test scores, parent satisfaction, and increasing enrolment to waitlist levels.
  • Transformed and hired a new business and finance department that now receives "commendation" status from independent auditors.
• Created and implemented a COVID playbook that received accolades and served as the local model for managing the pandemic.

School Leadership and Staff Recruitment

• Lead, supervised, and evaluated all Senior Administrative positions including four divisions of General Studies Principals, and Judaic Studies Principals, along with an Executive Director, Director of Development, Director of Admissions, and Chief Technology Officer.
  • Recruited and mentored an almost entirely new “superstar” leadership team.
  • Actively involved in the mentorship of new administrators.

School Leadership and Educational Vision

• Created and implemented a 21-Century educational philosophy for the school that included the creation of an award-winning Judaic Studies structure,  the rollout of a progressive General Studies teaching model, and the overhaul of the school's technology infrastructure. 
• Lead, supervise, and evaluate all Senior Administrative positions, including General Studies Principal, Judaic Studies Principal, Business Manager, Director of Development, Director of Admissions, and Chief Technology Officer.

Strategic Financial Planning/Fundraising

• Created a 7-year Strategic Financial Plan (SFP) for long-term fiscal planning. 
• Increased donor base and annual campaign gifts each year of tenure.
• Cultivated several large donor gifts for the annual campaign. 
• Spearheaded a process of organizational restructuring to reduce administrative and redundant costs, while increasing the quality of teaching and learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Prepare and oversee all aspects of the budget.

Community Representation

• Represent local Day School Heads at Federation strategic meetings. 
• Foster relationships with local and national Jewish organizations and donors.
• Regularly speak and teach at local synagogues and in the wider community.
• Active in the creation and implementation of various community projects. 

•  School Leadership 

Supervise and evaluate various senior director positions including the Director of Curriculum, Director of Student Life, Athletics and Sports Director, Hebrew Coordinator, and various departmental chairs.

• Curriculum

Responsibility for continuously evaluating the quality and scope of the curriculum.   Created and designed a new schedule format, instrumental in the design of new course sequences for both General and Judaic Studies. Created a progressive master schedule including new features such as a push-in/pull-out program and small group instruction.

• Faculty Supervision

Manage support staff and academic supervision, including developing and implementing teacher supervision documents and assessment matrix. Mentored new teachers in professionalism, co-teaching, organization, and parent communication.

• Directed and administered all aspects of 6th - 12th grade educational and social programming.
• Promoted a culture of giving and stronger synagogue affiliation, by creating targeted social programming for BDJ-Babies, BDJ-Chevra, and BDJ-Chaverim (demographic-based education and social programming).  
• Fulfilled all aspects of rabbinic leadership including counseling, teaching, preaching, and life-cycle officiating.
• Active in adult education and interdenominational programs for the wider community. 

• Headed the Advanced Jewish Studies department which resulted in a first-year class enrollment increase of 22%. Managed and taught new curriculum. 
• Created and implemented numerous Judaic activities, including seminars, retreats and learning nights.

• Managed daily customer service operations of a fast-growing national retail company; successfully expanded in less than two years to a 75-person call center. 
• Screened, hired and managed call center staff, including customer service, sales, and support.
• Maintained significant fiscal and budgetary responsibilities and served as a key member of the management team.

Marketing and Management