The first words of our mission statement are, "Cushing Academy exists for students," and this is the daily focus of life at Cushing Academy. This focus puts every student at the center of all that we do and continually reinforces our support for student learning and opportunities for growth.

At Cushing, learning happens across campus, from the classrooms to the art studios, dining commons, dormitories, playing fields, the stage, and in those moments when laughter is shared among friends. When you attend Cushing Academy, our focus is on you. Through your victories and struggles, we will be right beside you through it all, continuing that learning process.

Your experience as a Penguin will be unique, enjoyable, and memorable as you pursue your passions, discover new interests, and make lifelong friends from all over the world.

As you browse our website, I hope that you can see yourself as a member of our student body and a part of all that is available here. It is also my hope that you are encouraged to learn more by inquiring or joining us on campus for a visit.

I am honored to lead Cushing Academy and to be a part of a team of committed and experienced faculty and staff who are ready to focus on your success and learning. We hope to see you soon!

All my best,

Randy R. Bertin, Ed.D.
Head of School

About Dr. Randy Bertin

Dr. Randy Bertin has been a leader in independent boarding schools for the past two decades. Before joining Cushing Academy as 13th Head of School on July 1, 2018, he spent twelve years at Besant Hill School of Happy Valley in Ojai, California, serving seven years as Head of School and receiving the honor of Head of School Emeritus.

During his tenure as Besant Hill Head of School, Randy was recognized for his leadership and is one of only two independent school heads to receive the CASE District VII CEO Leadership Award. Before becoming Head of School, Randy served there in multiple leadership positions including Assistant Head for Advancement and Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. He also served as the school’s Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, earning California Southern Section Division V Coach of the Year in 2010. Randy previously spent seven years at Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

A graduate of the University of New Hampshire and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Randy was awarded his Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. He is an expert in the areas of school leadership, international fundraising, and boarding school admissions, and he has presented and written on these and other topics, including the Head of School’s Role in the Admissions Process, Financial Health Indicators for Heads of Schools, Integration and Immersion of International Students at Boarding Schools in the United States, Perceptions of Independent School Leaders in California: Global Issues, and Leading an Independent School through Covid-19. Randy was elected to Cushing Academy's Board of Trustees in 2019 and also serves on the boards of the Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA) Foundation and the International Center for Global Leadership.

In June 2024, Randy became a member of the Commission on Independent Schools for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The NEASC Commission on Independent Schools accredits and supports a wide range of private schools in New England, assisting schools through an ongoing cycle of reflection, internal assessment, and school improvement planning to ensure all students experience a high-quality education.

Randy lives on campus with his wife, Karen, and their four children.