Paul Bianchi, founder of The Paideia School, dies at age 79

The Paideia School announced on May 10 the death of Paul Bianchi, “founding head of school, beloved educator, and guiding light to generations of students, families, and colleagues.”

A statement released by the school said Bianchi, 79, passed away at his home, “leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, care, and commitment to progressive education.”

Bianchi, who led The Paideia School from its founding in 1971 until his retirement in 2023, shaped the school’s identity that “valued curiosity, compassion, and community,” the statement said. Even after his retirement, Bianchi continued to teach at the school.

“What began as a dream shared by a small group of parents and a young educator became one of the nation’s most respected independent schools, due in large part to Paul’s vision, tenacity, and humanity,” the Paideia release said.

“Paul was a model of what it means to lead with heart,” The Paideia Head of School Tom Taylor said. “His presence was felt in every hallway, in every conversation, in every act of care that built this community.”

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), who, along with his wife Alisha, graduated from Paideia in 2005, issued a statement after Bianchi’s death.

“We celebrate and honor Paul’s life and his legacy as one of the most impactful, visionary, and beloved educational leaders in Georgia history,” Ossoff said. “Alisha and I know firsthand the brilliance, wit, wisdom, and compassion that made Paul so special, and are grateful for all he did to support us and so many others.”

At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, the school unveiled a new sculpture memorializing the eraser toss, a tradition started by Bianchi that occurs on the first day of each school year.

An eraser is thrown into the crowd of high school students, with the student who catches the eraser deemed as destined to become a teacher.

“Paideia is not just an accumulation of curriculum and facilities, programs and achievements. The magic sauce is a school culture that regards children optimistically and joyously, as well as celebrates the teachers who create the school every day,” said a quote by Paul Bianchi inscribed on the sculpture’s plaque.

In 1971, a group of parents decided to start Paideia and offered to make 25-year-old Bianchi, who was a teacher at The Galloway School, the job of head of the school, according to Bianchi’s obituary.

“It seemed like an impressive offer, but as he said, ‘Let the record reflect that I was selected from a list on which there were no other candidates to head up a school that had no buildings, no faculty, no students and no money.’”

The school, which started with 145 students, now has more than 1,000 in its K-12 program.

Melba Hughes, retired board member and chair of Paideia’s Succession Planning Committee and parent of 2003 graduate Ashley Hughes Austin, called Bianchi “a brilliant man, a loving husband and father and a community builder. Paul built a school that quickly became a community for many of us. I was honored to be his friend and I will miss him.”

Bianchi is survived by Barbara Dunbar, his wife of 57 years, his three daughters, and eight grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to school’s financial aid program.

His family prepared an obituary that can be read here. Plans for a service honoring Bianchi will be released at a later date.

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