Professional Biography
Steve Piltch, Ed.D., is the Director of the School Leadership Program at Penn GSE. Previously, he served as Head of School for 27 years at the Shipley School, a PreK–12 independent day school in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. His tenure leading Shipley began in July of 1992 and ended in June of 2019.
While at Shipley, Steve oversaw the implementation of an academic program focused on providing 21st-century education. This program involved expanding interdisciplinary studies; developing a Social, Emotional, and Ethical Development (SEED) curriculum; creating a STEAM program; and committing to become the first school of Positive Education in the United States.
Shipley grew substantially under Steve’s leadership. The student body increased from 560 students in 1991–92 to 825 students in 2018–19. In addition, during Steve’s tenure, Shipley increased its diversity and expanded its accessibility. The school transitioned from six percent students of color in 1992–93 to twenty-seven percent students of color in 2018–19. In 1992–93, seventeen percent of students were on financial aid; in 2018–19, about thirty-five percent of students were on financial aid.
In addition to focusing on the student experience, Steve oversaw four distinct infrastructure development projects at the school. He prioritized the growth of Shipley’s endowment in strategic planning, leading to an increase from $6 million in 1992 to over $30 million when he departed. He led a five-year, $50 million capital campaign from 2012–2017. Over the course of his career, Shipley raised more than $100 million.
Committed to collaborative learning, good governance, and the well-being of students and others, Steve has served on the boards of charter and independent school as well as other non-profits dedicated to the growth and healthy development of students and adults. Among others, he has served on the board of The Wyndcroft School, The Montgomery School, The Chester Charter Scholars Academy (formerly The Chester Charter School for the Arts), ADVIS, and PAIS. Currently, he serves on the boards of Dream Camp, Gesu School, SpeakUp!, Minding Your Mind, and Children’s Literacy Initiative.
Steve received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Williams College and later worked at Choate Rosemary Hall as a teacher, coach, adviser, and dean. Upon leaving Choate, he moved to Greater Boston where he pursued graduate studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, taught in the Newton Public Schools, coached the men’s and women’s squash teams at Harvard, and served as Assistant Director of Athletics at Harvard. Steve earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate at Harvard.