Kay Carnes has served as Head of School since 2004. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Florida Atlantic University.

Kay began her career in education as an English teacher and founding director of the Hi-Steppers Dance and Drill Team at McArthur High School in Hollywood, Florida. In addition to her teaching experience, she also served as a high school administrator in the School District of Broward County until 1989.

Immediately prior to her appointment at St. Mark’s, Kay served for fifteen years as principal at Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach, Florida. As the founding principal, in 1989, of the college preparatory magnet school, Kay led the development of Suncoast’s academic programs in International Baccalaureate; Mathematics, Science, and Engineering; Computer Science; and Interdisciplinary Programs.

In 1998, Kay was selected by the Florida Department of Education for the Commission’s Outstanding High School Principal Award. Kay served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA) from 1997-2004. In 2003-2004, she served as president of the Florida Association of Secondary School Principals, and as a member of the Advisory Board for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Locally, Kay served on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement from 1993-2004. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the MacArthur Beach State Park and the Suncoast High School Foundation.

Kay and her husband, Tom, are the parents of three children, Jim Carnes, Laura Creeden, and Chris Carnes and the grandparents of six grandchildren.