Brooke Depelteau Appointed Head of Upper School
Holton-Arms School is thrilled to announce that after a comprehensive national search, Brooke Depelteau has been named the next Head of Upper School, effective July 1, 2025.
With over two decades of experience in independent school education and leadership, Brooke’s undeniable devotion to what is best for her students frames her purposeful commitment to all facets of school life. Brooke currently serves as Dean of Academics at Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts. Her oversight ranges from curriculum to faculty and staff evaluation, working as a member of the senior administrative team. Brooke is described as “beyond all-in” with a ubiquitous and supportive presence, exemplary habits of a lifelong learner, and a combination of joy and purpose in her demonstrated leadership orientation. A constant presence and conversationalist with her students, Brooke is eager to build a rapport with the Holton Panthers.
A graduate of Presbyterian College, Brooke earned her MPA in public administration from the University of Georgia and her Ed.S. in educational leadership and administration from the George Washington University. As she completes her Ed.D studies, she remains curious and focused on a culture of improvement, with a careful eye on culture and the holistic experience of all students.
During her visit to Holton, Brooke delightfully observed a keen commitment to developing agency, opportunity, and the “unique potential of young women” as our mission calls us to do. Brooke is committed to ensuring discovery, joy, and the pride in giving one’s all are nurtured within a challenging and supportive Upper School community. With plentiful experiences as a teacher, coach, dorm parent, and senior administrator, Brooke embodies active listening and a commitment to helping foster a sense of success in partnership with colleagues and students. Indeed, these are woven into her professional fabric: self-described as a “veteran school person, who carries a love for learning and works each day to celebrate opportunities,” Brooke’s current Head of School clearly articulated that Brooke is essential to helping the people, program, and place of her current school thrive.
Brooke was raised within a community of educators on Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s campus in Georgia, where her mother and father taught. In her own professional career, she returned to her alma mater Rabun Gap to teach, where she also met her husband, Jeff, an administrator at another independent school in the area. Brooke and Jeff are the proud parents of two boys, Maxwell and Bryson.
Brooke’s experiences are broad and deep; having taught various levels of English and History, overseen department chairs and deans, and collaborated with the college counseling office, counselors, learning services, and community programs, all while staying rooted in parent engagement, she holds impressive leadership acumen that will serve her well in the multifaceted role of Head of Upper School. Her experiences with student honor and discipline councils, admissions, summer programs, rentals, and residential life are also components of Brooke’s comprehensive school repertoire. Brooke is eager to bring her vast portfolio of experience to the Head of Upper School role at Holton-Arms, and we are thrilled to welcome her.
Drawn to Holton’s commitment to harnessing and celebrating female leadership within a community that values joy and doing hard things, Brooke is eager to immerse herself in learning more about Holton’s Upper School and the third through twelfeth grade journey. She is excited to be a part of a team of educational leaders who work in concert for continuity of care and mission delivery across divisions and departments. During her visit, Brooke was inspired by our collective commitment to ensuring the “mind, soul and spirit” of each Panther is Holton’s North Star. The purposeful connections we experience each day are most compelling to her.
“I am delighted to be joining the Holton-Arms connected community,” said Brooke. “The School’s commitment to educating, empowering, and emboldening young women to make a difference in the world resonates strongly with me; I was quickly enamored with the warmth and kindness of the students, faculty, and leadership. I want to be a part of the forward-thinking vision for Holton’s future. I look forward to connecting purposefully with Holton families to support their daughters as they grow, discover, create, and inspire themselves and others during their Upper School experience.”
We look forward to welcoming Brooke Depelteau and ensuring a smooth transition for the Holton-Arms community. Current Head of Upper School Chris Lynch, for whose leadership we are most grateful, is steadfast in his devotion to facilitating a strong partnership as he and Brooke begin their planful collaboration for her successful arrival at Holton this summer. We shall be in touch with dates for members of our community to meet Brooke and look forward to welcoming her to campus this spring.
Media Inquiries: Contact Liz Field, Head of Strategic Communications and Marketing.