George C. Baker has been appointed head of school at Maui Preparatory Academy.

Baker has worked in numerous capacities at Maui Prep, beginning as an educational consultant prior to the school's opening in 2005. Most recently he has served as the Interim headmaster while the school underwent a national search for its new head.

Baker's career in education spans four decades and includes both classroom and administrative experience in a variety of educational settings at all grade levels. A decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, Baker was a member of the United Nations delegation to the Russian Ministry of Education; has served on the Harvard Graduate School of Education National Advisory Board since 1996 and in a leadership capacity as co-chair since 2000; and has served on both the Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development's National Health Education Committee (2004) and the Federal Reserve Bank Economic Education Committee (2003-2004).

During his tenure at Maui Prep, Baker played an integral role in crafting the curriculum, establishing traditions, creating policies and procedures, and hiring and training faculty and staff. He spearheaded the school's application and candidacy for accreditation by the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools & Colleges. In its final report, the Accreditation Visiting Committee commended him for "his clear sense of direction, collaborative leadership, promotion of teamwork, focus on student achievement in character as well as academics, and his inspiration to faculty and staff throughout the accreditation process."

Scott Shoemaker, president of the board at Maui Prep, said "We interviewed several outstanding candidates. But in the end, it was clear to all of us that George's incredible breadth of experience, both academic and administrative, is the best match for our school. Our Maui Prep 'ohana is excited to welcome him in his new role."

Maui Preparatory Academy is an independent, college preparatory day school for students in Pre-K through grade 12, located in Napili. The school opened in the fall of 2005 and currently has 195 students enrolled in Pre-K through grade 10, with plans to add the 11th grade next year. This year 27 percent of the school's students received tuition assistance, and that percentage will increase next year. Applications are now being accepted for the 2008-2009 school year.