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 RYAN S. DAHLEM
Head of School News
List of 3 news stories.
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Honoring Those Who Serve: Veterans Day 2025
Celebrated annually on November 11, Veterans Day is a day off from work or school for many people. But at Rivers, taking the day to pay tribute to veterans with special programming is a longstanding tradition. This year, that tradition continued with an all-school assembly featuring a pre-recorded conversation with Capt. Jake Stenquist ’15, who is currently serving in the Marine Corps in Japan. Later in the day, over 100 members of the Rivers community contributed to a Veterans Day service project, volunteering to write notes and assemble care packages for homeless veterans in partnership with the nonprofit organization Provision Ministry.Read More -
Excellence with Humanity in an Interconnected World: The Rivers School Unveils New Strategic Plan, Mission, and Core Values
Read MoreIn a letter sent to the community on Friday, October 10, Board President Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87 and Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem announced the official launch of The Rivers School’s new strategic plan, approved by the Board of Trustees in June and concluding an initiative that has been nearly two years in the making. Rooted in the school’s educational philosophy of Excellence with Humanity and anchored by a revised mission and a new set of core values, the plan will serve as Rivers’ guide as the school moves forward into a future full of opportunity. -
Welcome Back Barbecue Draws Hundreds to Celebrate the Start of School
On the first Friday of the academic year, parents and caregivers, students, and members of the professional community gathered on campus in the evening to reconnect and celebrate the start of school at the Rivers Welcome Back Barbecue. With more than 540 community members registered for the event, “the energy and excitement for the start of a new school year were palpable,” said Director of Family and Alumni Engagement Janet McKeeney.Read More
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