Dr. Nikki Gamrath 

Founded in 1911, Berkeley Hall School serves children age 3 through eighth grade on its 66 acres in Los Angeles. The new head of school, Dr. Nikki Gamrath, shares Berkeley Hall’s mission to empower children to fulfill their unlimited, God-given potential as fearless scholars and conscientious citizens. “This is exactly what our world needs more of right now,” she says.

Nikki earned her master’s degree in education from Antioch University and her doctorate of education and educational specialist degree from McKendree University. She has taught middle school, high school, college and graduate students and has served as dean of academics, acting head of school and assistant head of school at independent schools across the nation. 

Nikki comes to Berkeley Hall from Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where she served as the vice president of educator development and as an academic dean. Her approach to teaching and learning is built around inquiry-based learning, place-based education, curiosity, student- centered learning and critical thinking. Her expertise and research areas focus on cognitive rigor assessment and higher-order thinking skills in experiential learning environments.

Nikki also has strong credentials in diversity, equity, inclusion and justice work, having taught related courses to undergraduate and graduate students while also supporting the development of a social justice curriculum across all grade levels. 

In her time off, she enjoys playing soccer, swimming, climbing and hiking with her husband, Craig. She has her captain’s license and loves blue-water sailing.

“Berkeley Hall School is a special place to work and learn,” Nikki reflects. “My hope is to elevate and amplify the uniqueness and wonder that already exists on our campus by working to embrace our community’s culture of care.”