New Leadership, Lauren Waller Named Assistant Head of School and Andrew Ruoss to Lead Upper School

GCDS made two significant leadership appointments in January to guide the school’s continued growth and strengthen its Nursery through Grade 12 program. Lauren Waller, currently Assistant Head of the Upper School for Faculty and Students, has been appointed Assistant Head of School. Andrew Ruoss, Assistant Head of Upper School for Academic Programs, will become Head of the Upper School. Both positions take effect July 1, 2026.

"Lauren and Andrew bring extraordinary professional expertise and a profound belief in the power of community, curiosity, and connection. Lauren knows this school inside and out—its people, its values, and its potential. She leads with insight, integrity, and heart. Andrew has been a central architect of the Upper School we know today, building a student-centered program that balances academic rigor, personal growth, and genuine love of learning.”—Adam Rohdie

LAUREN WALLER, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

Lauren Waller has shaped GCDS for nearly two decades through collaborative, mission-driven leadership. As Assistant Head of the Upper School for Faculty and Students for the past seven years, she has built systems, hired and guided faculty, and advanced the school’s academic vision.

Waller has been instrumental in designing a rigorous, interdisciplinary 9–12 academic program grounded in real-world application. She has led curriculum mapping tools, shaped professional learning, and established systems supporting faculty excellence and student success.

Since joining GCDS in 2008, Waller has taught English in Grades 7–9, helped develop the faculty evaluation system, and organized school-wide professional development. As a grade level coordinator for 10 years, she implemented division-wide initiatives including curricular changes, student orientations, and strategic planning.

Waller holds a master’s degree in the Teaching of English from Columbia University and an undergraduate degree from Kenyon College. She succeeds Jacqueline Jenkins, who has been instrumental in establishing GCDS as a comprehensive Nursery through Grade 12 institution.

"I am honored and excited to begin the role as Assistant Head of School, continuing the work of curricular alignment, stewarding our school culture, and working closely with Adam on strategic initiatives as we begin our second 100 years.”—Lauren Waller

ANDREW RUOSS, HEAD OF THE UPPER SCHOOL

Andrew Ruoss has served as Assistant Head of Upper School for Academic Programs for nearly seven years, helping build the 9–12 division into a student-centered program for nearly 500 students and more than 80 faculty that balances academic rigor, personal growth, and intellectual curiosity.

Ruoss has aligned the Upper School program with GCDS’s Nursery–12th grade academic vision, ensuring continuity across divisions. He has nurtured a collaborative faculty culture and led the hiring of more than 65 mission-aligned faculty members in partnership with the Dean of Faculty. Ruoss has built partnerships with universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and industry leaders to expand learning opportunities. Through initiatives including the Dalio Foundation’s Innovation in STEM Teaching Grant and the school’s partnership with Harvard Business School, he has positioned GCDS at the forefront of interdisciplinary, applied learning. He has championed student voice through the Student Curriculum Leadership Council, advisory programs, and wellness and affinity initiatives.

Prior to joining GCDS, Ruoss led interdisciplinary curricular programs at Duke University and The Hotchkiss School. He holds a doctorate and master’s degree from Duke University in global political economy and an undergraduate degree from Middlebury College. He is also a Fulbright Research Fellow in Economics. Ruoss succeeds Chris Winters, who will transition to a full-time teaching position at GCDS after founding the school’s distinctive Upper School program.

"At a dynamic time for education—through COVID and now the continuing evolution of AI—the Upper School has grown into a nationally recognized leader in innovation, while staying true to our founding mission to provide a transformative, highly individualized journey for every student. What makes that mission real is our community—the relationships among our incredible faculty, students, and families. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as Head of the Upper School and excited for this next chapter together.” —Andrew Ruoss