The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has chosen its next executive director to lead the school.

The school board announced on Monday that Christopher (Chris) Nace would take the reins starting in July, following the retirement of current director Peter Steedman.

“Our board of directors is delighted to welcome Chris as MVPCS enters an exciting new chapter. Throughout the search process, he demonstrated vision, empathy and a deep alignment with our school’s mission,” wrote MVPCS board chair Sheila McHugh Hazell in a statement.

Christopher Nace will begin work in July. — Courtesy Christopher Nace

“Chris joins MVPCS with more than a dozen years of school leadership experience, most recently as the high school principal of the DC International School, a high-performing, Tier 1, IB for all charter school in the District of Columbia,” the statement continued.

Prior to leading DC International, Mr. Nace was the school’s director of student support services and its special education coordinator.

The statement also noted that Mr. Nace is completing his PhD in education policy and leadership at George Mason University. He holds an M.A. in secondary special education and transition services, with a concentration in autism spectrum disorder, a M.S. in conflict analysis and resolution, a B.A. in government and international politics, and a B.A. in conflict analysis and resolution.

“Although he will officially begin in July, Chris plans to visit the school several times beforehand to observe daily operations and begin connecting with our students, staff, families, and island community,” Ms. McHugh Hazell wrote.

Mr. Steedman has led the charter school since 2018, when he took over for Robert Moore. He was instrumental in moving the school to adopt the International Baccalaureate curriculum in 2021.

“What is exciting for the families and students is that we are now part of an international group of learners,” Mr. Steedman said at time. “We are part of something larger than ourselves.”

Pete Steedman has been the director since 2018. — Ray Ewing

His next chapter in education will take him to the mainland, teaching theatre at Sturgis Charter Public School in Hyannis.

“I am really looking forward to getting back to the classroom, but gosh, I loved it here,” he said in an interview with the Gazette in December. “It has transformed me as a school leader, but also as a person.”