Meet the Head of School

Dr. Thomas Norton

Interim Head of School

Dr. Thomas Norton serves as Interim Head of School at American Classical Academy Rutherford (ACAR) for the 2026–27 school year.

Dr. Norton earned a B.S. in Secondary Education from Tennessee Temple College, with a proficiency in Physical Education and minors in History and Bible. He received his Master of Religious Education from Temple Baptist Seminary, began Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, studied further at Liberty Seminary, and completed his D.Min. at Tennessee Temple University with an emphasis in Practical Theology. His dissertation project, on Developing Team Leadership, was carried out while he served as lead pastor of Christian International Church in Daejeon, South Korea.

Dr. Norton has taught and coached in public and private schools, from elementary through college, in the United States and Asia (Michigan, Tennessee, South Korea, and Japan). He served as Dean of Students and Head of School at his alma mater, Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) in Tokyo. At ACAR, he taught 5th grade in 2024–25 and served as Dean of Students in 2025–26. His background as a father, teacher, coach, pastor, and counselor equips him to encourage and challenge students as they grow in depth of character.

Dr. Norton was born to and raised by missionaries who served in Japan for 50 years. He and his wife, Sheila, have been blessed with five children.