After more than six months of careful planning and a comprehensive national search, Austin Jewish Academy is pleased to announce the selection of its next Head of School. Dr. Karyn Hopper Rayburn will begin her tenure in July 2026, marking an exciting new chapter for the school.
The search process began in spring 2025 and was designed to be inclusive, transparent, and deeply rooted in AJA’s mission and values. After interviewing five firms, AJA selected DRG to lead the search. A diverse eight-member Search Committee—representing parents, faculty, Jewish communal leadership, and Shalom Austin—guided the process through community discovery, national outreach, multiple interview rounds, and opportunities for feedback.
The search was far-reaching, identifying more than 500 candidates nationwide and directly engaging over 20. Six finalists advanced through multiple rounds of interviews. Throughout the process, the committee prioritized academic excellence, whole-child education, strong leadership, and alignment with AJA’s Jewish values.
Dr. Rayburn emerged as the unanimous choice to lead AJA at this moment in its journey. She currently serves as Academic Dean at Trinity Episcopal School in Austin, where she has held leadership roles since 2013. She brings more than 20 years of experience in K–8 education and holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from The University of Texas at Austin. Her leadership has included curriculum and schedule redesign, competency-based grading, and cross-disciplinary, project-based learning—resulting in measurable gains in student achievement, faculty development, and school culture.
“From the moment I stepped inside AJA, I was struck by the pride students show in their school, their learning, and one another,” Dr. Rayburn shared. “I’m honored to help build AJA’s next chapter together.”
During her campus visit, Dr. Rayburn received 100% support from parents, faculty, Shalom Austin leadership, AJA supporters, the Search Committee, and the Board of Trustees.
The Board extends its deep gratitude to the Search Committee for its dedication and to Kari Loya, who has served as Interim Head of School for the past three years. His steady leadership has been instrumental in guiding AJA to this moment, and he will continue to lead the school through the 2025–2026 year to ensure a smooth transition.
With Dr. Rayburn’s appointment, Austin Jewish Academy looks ahead with confidence—building on a strong foundation of academic excellence, Jewish identity, and community connection.
