In an email sent out to the community this afternoon, MUS has officially announced their new Headmaster starting in July 2027. Hartwell “Hart”  Heath Roper Jr. will be replacing current Headmaster Pete Sanders, who will have served MUS for 10 years. (Check out “Sanders Announces Retirement, Shares Insight on Future Plans”).

The announcement came jointly from the Headmaster Search Committee and the Board of Trustees following a nationwide search conducted in accordance with Carney Sandoe & Associates that reportedly drew from almost 200 candidates. The Board unanimously approved Roper’s appointment after receiving the committee’s recommendation.

Currently, Roper is the Head of School at Oak Hill School in Nashville, a pre-K through sixth-grade independent school where he has led since 2018. During his time at Oak Hill, enrollment has increased by 22%, while their annual fund has grown by 70%. He also oversaw the launch of a capital campaign that raised $14 million.

In addition to fundraising and strategic efforts, MUS officials highlighted Roper’s leadership as “distinctly relational and grounded in trust.”

“Throughout my career, I have become convinced of the distinctive and essential role schools for boys play in the flourishing and formation of young men, and MUS clearly lives out that mission,” Roper said in the announcement letter. “The school holds tightly to the timeless values embodied in Veritas Honorque, shaping young men of character, conviction, and purpose whose influence extends beyond the campus and into the broader community.

Roper praised Mr. Sanders in his remarks as well: “I am extremely honored and humbled to join the Memphis University School community as its next headmaster following Pete Sanders, a person I admire and respect,” Roper said. “During Pete’s tenure, the school has accomplished so much, and I feel fortunate to help steward his and the board’s legacy into this next chapter.”

Before Oak Hill, Roper served in several roles at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., including Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, head varsity soccer coach, lower school dean of students, and history instructor. At Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville (2015-2018), where he was director of Major Gifts and Special Projects and then director of Strategic Initiatives and associate director of Development, he was involved in a $150 million capital campaign.

Roper holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Davidson College, where he captained the varsity soccer team.

He and his wife, Colleen, have four children. Two of their sons, Daniel and Thomas, will attend MUS in the Upper School starting in Fall 2027.

Search Committee Chair Margaret C. McLean and Board Chair William V. Thompson III ’95 thanked members of the MUS community for participating in the search process and encouraged families to welcome the Roper family to MUS.

View the announcement below in full:

Correction:

• 5/12: Changed “will attend MUS in both the Lower and Upper School.” to “will attend MUS in the Upper School starting in Fall 2027.” As both boys will be high schoolers by Fall of 2027.
• 5/12: Added more information to the section regarding Mr. Roper’s time at MBA.