Welcome to Head-Royce School

Head-Royce School is a diverse K–12 community nestled in the Oakland hills that serves families seeking a transformative educational experience.  Our mission is to develop students of character, intellect, and creativity.


 
 
 
Living Our Values

Living Our Values

We deliver on our mission by living our values: 

  • Students First: We prioritize student learning, development, and well-being.
  • Academic Excellence: We pursue knowledge and assess our learning to better ourselves and our community.
  • Diversity: We embrace our different perspectives, backgrounds, experiences and identities to expand and enrich what we can learn and do together.
  • Belonging: We create the conditions in which everyone thrives and brings their authentic selves.
  • Civic Engagement: We connect students to the local community and beyond to enhance their academic experiences and foster genuine engagement.

 

 
 
 
Our Head of School

Our Head of School

Appointed in 2022, Rachel E. Skiffer is the 12th Head of School in our 135-year history. A dynamic and visionary leader, Rachel has a deep background both in large traditional independent schools as well as small, innovative organizations. As an executive administrator, Rachel brings direct experience in admissions, belonging and DEI work, curricular development, competency-based assessment, financial stewardship, community building and strategic planning. Rachel served as the Head of School at Khan Lab School in Palo Alto, Dean of Policy and Strategic Planning at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA, and held administrative roles at San Francisco University High School and The Latin School of Chicago.

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Strategic Direction

 

Strategic Direction

Every five to seven years, we engage in a strategic design process to understand what our community values most about the Head-Royce experience—how well we fulfill our mission, and which assets and competencies we should strengthen and evolve. Throughout the 2023-24 school year, we undertook this process, culminating in Pathways to Purpose, our new strategic direction. This framework informs the school’s near-term priorities, ensuring that our vision remains rooted in our past while embracing today’s innovations and the promise of tomorrow.

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Diversity, Equity, + Inclusion

 

Diversity, Equity, + Inclusion

We commit to fostering global perspectives, resolving conflicts, repairing harm, promoting inclusion, respecting differences, and prioritizing BIPOC leadership. We welcome discomfort, learn from mistakes, and invest in training and curriculum revision for an anti-racist approach.

Learn more about our DEI efforts.

 
 
 
History of the School

 

History of the School

The spirit of inquiry and innovation brought by our founder, Anna Head, over 137 years ago remains infused in our culture today. From innovation centers, internships, and integrated technology, to life skills classes, service learning, cross-divisional buddies, and small advising groups, we are equally dedicated to educational excellence and social-emotional learning.