Welcome from the Head of School
Welcome to The Rivers 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
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 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 20 news stories.
-
The Rivers School Appoints Meredith Lorber as Assistant Head of Middle School
Read MoreThe Rivers School is pleased to announce the appointment of Meredith Lorber as assistant head of Middle School, effective July 1, 2026. A veteran educator with over two decades of experience, Lorber is a recognized leader in middle school pedagogy and instructional innovation. She emerged as the top choice from a highly competitive national pool of more than 90 applicants following a rigorous search process and a series of intensive campus visits. -
Rivers’ Third Annual State of the School Update: Ushering in a Bold New Chapter
Read MoreOn 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. -
The Science of Social Media With Jill Walsh
Read MoreThe 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. -
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 -
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 -
Opening Day 2025: Branching Out
Clear skies and warm smiles welcomed the Rivers community on Tuesday, September 2, with new and returning students and teachers greeting each other bright and early on the first day of the 2025–26 academic year.Read More -
Joyful Connections at The Rivers School’s BIPOC Picnic
The Rivers School kicked off the new academic year with its beloved annual back-to-school picnic for families of students of color, a vibrant event that brought together close to 200 students, families, and members of the professional community. Held on the Lank Quadrangle outside of Revers, the gathering was a chance for both new and returning families and students to connect in a casual, upbeat setting, facilitated by Rivers’ DEI team.Read More -
Celebrating Paul Karasch and His 33 Years at Camp Nonesuch
The Rivers School and Camp Nonesuch communities recently gathered to celebrate the remarkable career of Paul Karasch, who is retiring from his role as director of Camp Nonesuch after 33 seasons. The event honored Paul’s enduring legacy and the profound impact he’s had on thousands of children over the years. (Fortunately, Paul will continue in his role as assistant director of technology and cross country coach at The Rivers School.)Read More -
Rivers Cape Cod Summer Reception Celebrates and Connects Community
Parents, caregivers, alumni, and friends of The Rivers School gathered on a beautiful summer evening at the Oyster Harbors Club in Osterville, MA, for a Cape Cod summer reception. Hosted by Board President Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87, and Lisa Rose, the evening celebrated community, connection, and a strong sense of forward momentum at Rivers.Read More -
“Reconnect, Reminisce, and Celebrate”: Rivers Celebrates Reunion
Read MoreThe Rivers School welcomed alumni back to campus on May 31 to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate their reunion milestones. This year’s Reunion honored classes ending in 0 and 5, and alums spanning the Class of 1960 to the Class of 2021 all made their way back to Winter Street. -
Leadership, Love, and Lessons Learned: Celebrating the Class of 2025
Spirits were high as the community gathered to celebrate the Class of 2025 on Friday, May 23. Though the day was unseasonably chilly, the sun made an appearance just in time for the 92 graduates to process into the tent on Lank Quadrangle.Read More -
Prize Day 2025: Honoring Excellence, Character, and Community
Read MoreThe Rivers community came together on Thursday, May 22, for the annual Prize Day ceremony, a tradition honoring excellence, integrity, service, and spirit. A deluge of rain and chilly temperatures brought the planned outdoor ceremony indoors to Benson Gymnasium, but the change of venue did little to dampen the celebratory spirit of those gathered to cheer and applaud the well-deserved accomplishments of students and professional community members alike. -
Rivers Community Tees Off at 23rd Annual Golf Tournament
Despite chilly temperatures and rainy skies, nearly 80 golfers turned out for the 23rd Annual Rivers School Community Golf Tournament at Charter Oak Country Club in Hudson, MA. The event welcomed Rivers alumni, parents and caregivers, grandparents, and members of the professional community for a day of connection, friendly competition, and school spirit.Read More -
Meret Nahas Named New Chief Advancement Officer at The Rivers School
Read MoreHead of School Ryan S. Dahlem announced last week that, following an extensive search from a deep and talented pool of advancement professionals nationally, Meret Nahas has been named chief advancement officer, effective immediately. Nahas will provide strategic and administrative leadership to Rivers’ fundraising efforts and serve as a key member of the administrative team, partnering with the head of school and colleagues across campus to help implement the school’s next strategic plan. -
Rivers Holds Second Annual State of the School Update: Imagine 2035
Read MoreOn Tuesday, February 11, The Rivers School held an evening event for parents, caregivers, and alumni titled “Imagine 2035: 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, development, and academics—along with a special focus on the past year’s strategic planning efforts aimed at shaping a bright future for Rivers.
Click here for an executive summary highlighting key information shared during the presentation. -
The Power of Teams: Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem Participates on PIN Panel
On January 15, the Parents’ Independent School Network (PIN) hosted a virtual heads of school panel to discuss the topic of teams: “Being Our Best Selves: A Team Approach.” In addition to Rivers’ Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem, the event featured heads of school from three other Massachusetts independent schools: Derek Boonisar from Fenn School in Concord; Judith Guild from Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill; and Mark Stanek from Shady Hill School in Cambridge.Read More -
Renowned Neuroscientist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang: Understanding Adolescent Brains
We may think of the world of emotions as very separate from biology or the process of learning and the brain, but Mary Helen Immordino-Yang would have you know that those processes are deeply linked. Following the winter break, The Rivers School welcomed back Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, a distinguished neuroscientist and professor of education at the USC Rossier School of Education, as a guest speaker for a day of professional development, and in a later session for parents, caregivers, and alumni.Read More -
“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
© 2025 The Rivers School. All Rights Reserved
Rivers admits academically qualified students and does not discriminate against students or families on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, and other school-administered programs.