Principal Tim Bearden to Leave Grosse Pointe North High School

This summer officials will be looking for a new principal to lead as Tim Bearden is leaving later this month to lead Detroit Country Day School. 

Bearden told Patch Tuesday the decision to leave North was difficult but the position at Detroit Country Day is an opportunity for him in one of his areas of interest within the education field. 

In his new position, Bearden will be the Chief Academic Officer/Upper School Director. He said the instruction and curriculum focus he will be taking on as the chief academic officer is an opportunity to grow in an area that is of great interest to him. He will help develop curriculum and instruction standards for kindergarten through twelfth grades. 

He also is not yet ready to give up daily contact with students, he said, because that is part of his job that he really enjoys. Being the upper school director will allow him to continue his contact with students, he said. 

Bearden became interested in independent schools after learning more about the opportunities and flexibilities such an educational setting offers as compared to public schools. In this particular situation, the reputation of Detroit Country Day preceeds it, he said. 

His contract expires June 30 and he will begin with Detroit Country Day July 1, he said. He will not extinguish his connections at North, however, he said. 

"I will continue to advocate for North," Bearden said, explaining the strength of the school and staff. "This is a great place."

Additionally his own children are in Grosse Pointe Schools and he's made lifelong friendships in the district, he said.

Bearden first began with Grosse Pointe Schools as the athletic director and assistant principal for . Bearden then left to lead South Lake High School as its principal. Six years ago he made the change from South Lake to Grosse Pointe North. 

Given the opportunity to share one parting thought with the community, Bearden said he wants residents to understand the value of diversity among student population.

"The view of diversity of North by the community is that it's less than a strength," Bearden said. "Whereas I think it's one of our strengths. It is good for students to be around students from different backgrounds. It is more of a real world experience."