Head of School

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.

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.
"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 News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Dalton, Wasserman, Dahlem, Nahas, and Rose.

    Rivers’ Third Annual State of the School Update: Ushering in a Bold New Chapter

    On Wednesday, February 11, The Rivers School held an evening event for parents, caregivers, and alumni: “Activating Our Bold New Plan: A State of the School Update.” The program provided an inside look at the current state of the school from various perspectives—strategy, governance, finance, advancement, and academics—along with a focus on the past year’s strategic planning efforts aimed at shaping the school’s future. 

    Click here for an executive summary highlighting key information shared during the presentation.
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  • Jill Walsh presents her talk, “Social Media Manipulation: How Tech Companies Use Psychology Research Against Us,” at an all-school assembly

    The Science of Social Media With Jill Walsh

    The Rivers School welcomed Jill Walsh, Ph.D., on Monday, February 2, in the second of three events in the wellness speaker series “Navigating Adolescent Development in an Interconnected World.” A sociology lecturer and researcher at Boston University, Walsh studies how teens use digital spaces to shape their identities. Her research examines the impact of digital media use on psychosocial well-being and development, and she works with schools across the country to develop best practices and policies for technology and social media use.
    Read More

  • The Next Chapter of Board Leadership at Rivers: Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87 to Conclude Term as Board President in June; Peter A. Walter P’23, ’25, ’28, ’29 to Succeed Rose

    After nearly two decades of dedicated service, Board President Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87 announced that he will conclude his tenure at the end of the 2025–26 academic year. Succeeding him in the pivotal role of board president is Peter A. Walter P’23, ’25, ’28, ’29, a seasoned trustee and current vice president of the Board.
    Read More
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