When Yolanda Banks, president of the Parents Association board at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH), heard Dr. Delvin Dinkins would be departing as head of school after the 2024-25 academic year, she was worried. Banks’ daughter is a rising senior and Banks was concerned that a transition of leadership would affect the end of her daughter’s time at SCH.

However, soon Banks learned Dr. Steve Druggan, who served as head of school from 2016 to 2022, would return for a second tenure. Her fears were assuaged.

“I was worried. … It takes another year for a president to get up and running before there’s any change,” Banks said. “So, when we heard Steve was coming back, it was some of the best news.”

After three years working abroad at the American School of Dubai (ASD), Druggan began his second term at SCH on July 7. With classes beginning Sept. 2, the SCH community is eager to welcome him back. Druggan brings with him a unique mixture of international perspective and institutional knowledge.

An eventful first tenure

Druggan’s first tenure as head of school was full of change. Five years before he was appointed, SCH was formed by a merger between the all-girls Springside School and the all-boys Chestnut Hill Academy. Druggan oversaw the post-merger integration of the two schools, highlighting their individual histories while combining their cultures.

In 2019, Druggan helped with the completion of Phase II of the Campus Master Plan, an ambitious endeavor knitting both campuses together. This $34 million capital project opened the McCausland Lower School and Commons.

Additionally, Druggan led the launch of SCH’s Early Childhood Center in 2020, which welcomes children as young as 18 months old, and assisted in the founding of the school’s Horizons summer learning program. Despite all these achievements, Druggan said the highlight of his first tenure is much simpler.

“More important than all that has been getting to know the people that make up the SCH community and Chestnut Hill,” Druggan said. “Our industry is all about people, just getting to know the people, the history, and the traditions.”

According to Banks, during the challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Druggan’s leadership paved the way for SCH students to continue receiving their education on campus. After switching to virtual learning in March 2020, SCH reopened its Early Childhood Center by June 2020 and the full campus was open by the fall.

“[Druggan] came in after doing a merger between the boys’ side and the girls’ side. … That’s hard enough,” Banks said. “Then we eventually had COVID and all the things that came with COVID. He was able to keep the school intact and keep the kids in school. … I found that, even in a world that felt divided, this community got a lot closer as a result of the leadership that we had at the school.”

An international move

In 2022, Druggan and his wife Pia decided to depart SCH for Dubai. Living internationally was nothing new for the family; Druggan previously served in leadership roles at Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia, Munich International School in Germany, and the American School of Milan in Italy.

“I guess some people buy convertibles in their 50s,” Druggan joked about his decision to leave SCH. “I loved SCH but six years is a great run. I got contacted about the school in Dubai. … It was a great opportunity to lead a great school in a vibrant, emerging part of the world.”

With all of his international experience, Druggan said he learned the value of the individual.

“International living heightens your awareness of getting to know each person as an individual, because even two people that are similar physically or ethnically can be very different,” Druggan said.

After three years in Dubai, the Druggans were presented with the opportunity to return to SCH.

“We [decided to return] due to some family stuff and also our love of SCH. The real heart and soul is here,” Druggan said. “[Dubai] has a lot of things, but not that.”

Setting goals and having fun

In any leadership position he held, Druggan said his goal was to leave a place better than he found it. He cites SCH’s mission statement as a worthy objective, hoping students leave with “thoughtfulness, integrity, and a quest to effect positive change.”

It’s not all high-mindedness and work, though; Druggan is also looking forward to having fun. From discussing his love of Philadelphia sports to making pizzas for students, Druggan enjoys being an approachable leader.

“He’s just a fun guy who likes music, making pizza, and entertaining,” Banks said. “He’s easily engaged but will handle business. He will make decisions. … That’s really what we need in order to move the school forward. I’m just so happy to support him this year in any way I can.”

Maggie Dougherty can be reached at Margaret@chestnuthilllocal.com.