Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2010 | Page 8

School News

Headmaster Stasio Receives
NEASC’s Bradley Award

Thornton Academy Headmaster Carl J. Stasio, Jr. is the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Richard J. Bradley Award from the New England
Association of Schools and Colleges. He will be recognized for this
honor at NEASC’s annual conference in Boston in December.
“This is a very special recognition for me because I truly believe
in the mission of NEASC,” Stasio said. “For 125 years, the organization has promoted a thoughtful, meaningful process by which K-16
schools can be evaluated in a holistic way – through reflective selfstudy, peer visitation and thoughtful consideration about how best to
meet students’ needs. I deeply value my NEASC colleagues and appreciate receiving this honor.”
Named for a longtime Executive Director of the Association, the
Bradley Award is presented annually to an active New England educator who has made significant contributions to the work and purpose
of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and whose
exemplary work maintains and advocates high standards of excellence in education. Stasio was chosen from a group of many nominees. He has been an ambassador for the association, an advocate
for accreditation and, above all, an ally of education throughout the
world.
Stasio was president of NEASC in 2001-02 and served as president
elect and past president in the years just before and after his term.
He also served the association as a member and chair of five committees: the Personnel Committee, the Policy Committee, the Appeals
Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee and the Executive Committee.
“Thornton Academy has long recognized and benefited from
Carl’s vision, leadership and dedication to all students,” said Eric
Purvis, president of TA’s Board of Trustees. “I’m pleased that NEASC
holds our headmaster in as high esteem as we do and has taken this
opportunity to honor him in this manner.”
Stasio’s longstanding involvement with NEASC began in 1995
when he served the first of two terms as a member of the Commission on Independent Schools. CIS is one of five commissions within
NEASC and accredits a wide range of private schools in six New England states. In 1999-2000, he was chair of the Commission and at that
time also served as a member of CIS’s Board of Trustees. In that role,
he also served the association as a member of its Nominations Committee and Finance Committee.
Stasio is an active participant in CIS’s accreditation process. He
has been a great advocate for the recognition of NEASC accreditation
of independent schools in the state of Maine, and he has overseen
expanded membership to many elementary schools, home schools
and schools within juvenile detention centers over the past 15 years.
He’s volunteered his time and abilities to chair many teams in New
England over the years while juggling his responsibilities at Thornton
Academy in Saco, with the belief that volunteer work with the association offered wonderful opportunities to contribute to his profession.
Stasio was also twice a member of NEASC’s Commission on American
and International Schools Abroad, and he is currently its chair. During
this time he has overseen the tremendous growth of overseas membership.
As headmaster of Thornton Academy since 1986, Stasio has provided dynamic leadership resulting in a thriving student population
that includes students from Saco, Dayton, Arundel and many other
southern Maine communities. There are more than 1,400 students at
TA in grades 6-12, which includes middle school students as well as
boarding students that Stasio helped bring to the school.

Postscrip