Gretchen Larkin came to Charles River School as its Head of School in 2014 after having spent over 20 years as a rising leader in K-12 education. In her so-far brief tenure at Charles River School, she has led a total reorganization and right-sizing of the school and administration and has spearheaded a record-breaking comprehensive campaign, raising 40 percent more money in two-thirds the time of any previous campaign.

Gretchen has brought to Charles River School a broad vision that has helped both reshape its curriculum and deepen its community. She elevated equity and inclusion as a priority, markedly increasing the number of students enrolled from families of color. She also oversaw the opening of a new wetlands laboratory, which is a three-acre trail system through school-owned conservation land for students to learn environmental sciences and stewardship in a hands-on fashion.

Gretchen also led a shift in faculty/staff mindset to one of customer service and demand-based planning. This has contributed to an attrition rate that is at a five-year low and has been highlighted by NAIS as a model program.