In memory of Jack Harrison (ASL 1971-86)

During the 2020-21 school year, we're celebrating ASL’s 70th anniversary with a series of 70 stories highlighting our school’s vibrant past, present and future.

Mr. Harrison, 1973

Jack Harrison, ASL’s second Head of School, passed away on 24 January 2020 at the age of 90. He spent 15 formative years leading students and staff, during which the school underwent tremendous growth and change.

Jack was raised in Mexico, Missouri and began his teaching career working in primary schools in his home state as well as in California. In 1958, Jack and his wife Gail, along with their young daughter Lisa ’74, moved to France, where he began his tenure as an international leader in education. He served three years at the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye near Paris before moving to Germany to help found the Frankfurt International School; this time joined by an additional child, Jeffrey ’78. In 1965, Jack accepted the headmaster position at the American Community School in Beirut. He and his family would remain in Lebanon for six years before joining the ASL community in 1971, the year the St. John’s Wood campus opened.

Jack was featured in the 1986 yearbook, his last year as Head of School

During his tenure as Head, Jack implemented numerous programs and activities that are still hallmarks of the ASL student experience. Music and athletic tours were established, the first faculty sabbaticals were offered and The Standard newspaper published its inaugural issue in 1975. The launch of the Alternatives program in 1978 was a particular point of pride for Jack, who stated in an interview in 1986 that the “...excellent alternatives program is “...vital for the kids.” He also had a reputation for hiring and retaining talented faculty; the “interesting and fine group of adults” under his care largely contributed to why he qualified his ASL stint as a “wonderful experience.” “Jack hired good teachers and let them be good,” praised former drama teacher Jan Mikrut (ASL 1974-98). “He didn’t interfere during a time of great creativity and novelty for the school.” HS world languages and cultures teacher Vicki Hamadache (ASL 1985-present) echoed this when she recounted her interview with Jack back in 1985. “I was quite nervous,” she admitted, “because he had such a formal, ministerial look about him, seated behind a huge polished desk.”

Jack was described as "formal" and "elegant" by those who worked for him

His friendly remarks put Vicki at ease, however, and to her surprise, she felt warmly welcomed. “He was a polite, elegant man.” Linda Hurcombe (ASL 1968-92) appreciates the numerous, unsung improvements Jack oversaw. “When you’re 20-something, you don’t think about pensions,” she said recently. “But he gifted ASL staff with possibly the best pension plan in the world.”

Jack, 1972

The school Jack inherited was in great debt in the early ’70s. At the time of his departure in 1986, ASL was in solid condition. Jack gracefully passed the headmaster’s torch to Bill Harris (ASL 1986-91), describing him as an “able and experienced administrator” who would offer “...fresh direction to the school.” Jack and Gail had the privilege of watching both of their children become ASL graduates, and the couple retired to southern California upon leaving London. Jack is dearly missed by his family, friends and colleagues, but his ASL legacy endures. Thank you, dear Jack, for being a significant chapter of our school’s story.

Was Mr. Harrison your headmaster? Share your stories with the alumni office!