Ryan S. Dahlem, Ninth Head of School
Ryan S. Dahlem is the ninth head of school at Rivers. He arrived on July 1, 2023, having previously served as assistant head of school at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, a PK–12 school of 1,240 students in San Juan Capistrano, CA. There, he created a unique student-centered Innovation Strategy rooted in design thinking that has been recognized nationally in the world of independent schools. At Rivers, Ryan continues that approach of student-centered learning, built on a foundation of strong relationships and the school’s philosophy of Excellence with Humanity.
"Above all, I value deeply personal relationships between educators and students. They are at the heart of a transformational education."
—HEAD OF SCHOOL RYAN S. DAHLEM
—HEAD OF SCHOOL RYAN S. DAHLEM
Ryan graduated from Stanford University with an AB in psychology and from the Harvard Graduate School of Education with a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum. He is a trained musician and avid mountaineer who has climbed the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. Ryan and his wife, Anne, have three children: Peter, Ella, and Colin.
Ryan was initially drawn to The Rivers School for its mission, core values, and tradition of Excellence with Humanity, which, he said, resonates deeply with his own educational philosophy. Building on the school’s momentum, he is delighted to lead Rivers into its next chapter.
MEET RYAN S. DAHLEM
Ryan S. Dahlem, our ninth head of school, spent several days on the Rivers campus before his official arrival. He visited classrooms, met with students and faculty members, and began the process of becoming a member of the Rivers community. We caught up with him on one of his early visits, and in this video, he shares his first impressions of the school and his excitement about his new role.
Head of School News
List of 3 news stories.
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“Rivers on the Road” Admission Tour Brings Science to the Harvard Museum of Natural History
The Rivers School admission team recently stopped at the Harvard Museum of Natural History for the second annual “Rivers on the Road” event. The museum’s newly renovated Earth & Planetary Sciences gallery, an expansive space that houses thousands of rare minerals and sparkling gemstones, was a perfect setting for forging new connections and talking about science programs at Rivers.Read More -
Veterans Day at Rivers: Service and Sacrifice
Read MoreThe Rivers School held its annual Veterans Day assembly to recognize and honor members of the community who have served in the military. This year, a new dimension of this 42-year tradition offered students the chance to give back and serve veterans in various community organizations throughout the Boston area. -
Strategic Design Summit: Imagine Rivers 2035
On Saturday, November 2, more than 100 members of the Rivers community—parents, alumni, trustees, and professional community members—came together for an exciting and important task: Imagining the future. Specifically, they were asked to spend the morning discussing, pondering, and creating a vision for The Rivers School of 2035, 10 years down the road. The Strategic Design Summit, convened by strategic planning co-chairs Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem and Trustee Alison Hall P’19, was a milestone along the path that will lead to the creation of a new strategic plan, targeting approval in June 2025.Read More
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