A New Jersey native, Scott Laird graduated from West Morris Mendham High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree from West Chester University in Pennsylvania. His postgraduate degrees include a Masters in Education and Administration, and a Masters in History. With over thirty years of teaching and administrative experience, Mr. Laird served in various capacities at The Peck School in New Jersey, and at Palm Beach Day School in Florida before arriving at St. Mary’s. Assuming the new role of headmaster, he embarked on a ten year campaign to rebuild the aging St. Mary’s facilities.  The beautiful campus exists today in large part due to his dedicated efforts and unwavering vision. Mr. Laird states, “I love coming to work every day. We have the best faculty in the world. These are the finest people I have ever known." He adds, "Schools should be a fun place. Our greatest responsibility is to instill a love of learning and an appreciation for the educational experience in every child in our community.”

Headmaster Laird is an active member of the Elementary School Heads Association and currently serves on the Executive Board. He has served two terms on the Board of Directors for the Florida Council of Independent Schools, and continues to chair reaccreditation committees at FCIS schools throughout the state. At St. Mary’s, Mr. Laird teaches Speech to eighth grade, giving his students the ability to make oral presentations with confidence.

Off campus, Mr. Laird enjoys painting, woodworking, movies, traveling and motorcycling with his wife Sharon. Daughter Amelia is a graduate of University of Florida, son Sam attends Florida State University, and stepdaughter Andrea is a graduate of the University of Florida Law School. Enjoying sports of all kinds, Mr. Laird is a devoted fan of the New York Giants and the New York Mets, but he also roots for the Bucs and the Rays. 

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