Advent Announces New Dean Leadership Model for 26–27

As we look ahead to the 2026–27 school year, we are delighted to share an exciting development in how we've structured our teaching and learning team — and introduce a familiar face in a new role.

Brooke Peterson, our Assistant Head of School, will be leaving Advent this summer to pursue a new professional opportunity. We wish her all the best in what lies ahead.

With any transition, we have an opportunity to reflect on where we are, where we are going, and what will help get us there. Beginning next year, Advent will move to a three-dean model designed to bring dedicated, expert attention to the three things that matter most in your child's experience here: their growth as a student, their life in community, and the quality of their learning.

Alex Wright, who has spent the last two years serving as our Director of Lower School, will transition to Dean of Students — bringing her work with students and families into sharper focus, supporting the whole child from social-emotional wellbeing to school culture. Ben Burgess, who has served as Director of Upper School for the last two years, will transition to Dean of Faculty, carrying forward his deep investment in our teachers and ensuring that the people who show up for your children every day are growing, supported, and doing their best work.

And beginning this June, Abby Martin will join the dean team as our Dean of Curriculum.

Abby has been a part of the Advent community since her days as a student here and has spent the last four years as a key member of our faculty. She holds a Master of Education and an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership, and brings close to a decade of classroom teaching experience to this role. Most recently, she has served as our Student Readiness Coordinator, working closely with Alex and Brooke to align how we prepare students academically and developmentally. She knows our students, our faculty, and our program — and she is exactly the right person to lead the work of ensuring that what we teach and how we teach it continues to reflect the highest standards.

Together, this team gives Advent the capacity to think both immediately and long-term about students, faculty, and curriculum — all at once. This new model will also strengthen intentional connection between the Upper School and Lower School and create clearer pathways for collaboration, so students experience a more cohesive journey across their years at Advent. We are proud of where we are headed, and grateful to all who have made it possible.