Educational Directions is a nationally recognized educational consulting firm and an acknowledged leader in retained search for heads of independent schools. Mathew Heersche and Risa Oganesoff Heersche bring many years of experience in Catholic school and specialize in Catholic school searches. We established the firm in 1986 and are based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Our independent school clients range from the very small to the very large and include boarding and day schools; coed and single sex; elementary, secondary and PK–12; rural, suburban and urban; secular and religious; college preparatory and special purpose; national and international. We have remained small by design in order to provide our clients with the same personal and timely service on which we have built our reputation for excellent service and results. We take on fewer searches in order to do them well, with time to build strong relationships with candidate prospects. We understand that a new head of school/president must be able to deliver a multiple bottom line: enrollment, fundraising, balanced budgets, teaching and learning outcomes, professional development, career advice, parenting advice, and be a trusted advisor to the students, faculty and community.