Brooke Depelteau Hired as Head of Upper School for the 2025-2026 School Year

On July 1, Holton will welcome Brooke Depelteau as the new head of the upper school. According to the official announcement of the appointment, Depelteau has dedicated over 20 years

of her career to independent school education and leadership positions.

Currently, Depelteau is the dean of academics at the Berkshire School in Massachusetts. In an interview with Scribbler, Depelteau shared more about her path to education and affinity for Holton.

Depelteau has always been involved in the world of education. As a child, she grew up on the campus of the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia, where both of her parents were teachers.

Eventually, Depelteau taught at Rabun-Gap herself, where she met her husband Jeff. Now, Depelteau has two sons, Maxwell and Bryson.

With a passion for dancing, Depelteau began college as a dance major. Although she no longer dances, she still carries a love for the performing arts. Many of Depelteau’s favorite activities, including mountain biking and camping with her family, are spent outdoors. Additionally, “each

year [her] children humor [her] by going on a hike with [her] for Mother’s Day.”

Addressing other favorites, Depelteau shared, “I love a latte from Tatte or Ralph’s, sushi from Sugarfish and my water with bubbles.”

Depelteau has a range of experience as both a teacher and a leader in her school communities. She has taught English and History and has worked in college counseling, administration, admissions and more, including honor council.

Depelteau shared that she was “drawn” to Holton’s “focus on growing excellence through both challenge and joy and the community’s clear support and care for each other.” Depealteau’s notion of Holton’s community was affirmed during her visit last January. Depelteau is “a big believer that places and programs are important, but it’s people who give those places and programs light and

life.”

To that end, Depelteau expressed her excitement “about building relationships and getting to know the people who make Holton special.” Additionally, she “look[s] forward to...discovering [the school’s] nuances and traditions.”

Liv Hoffman ’26 shared that she “can’t wait to get to know Depelteau during [her] last year of Holton” and “hope[s] that [Depelteau] is someone [she] can talk to about serious and funny things.” Similarly, Caroline Peterson ’26 said, “[Depelteau] has big shoes to fill...but I hope that she can make a positive impact on my last year at Holton.”

As the day of Depelteau’s arrival approaches, she and current Upper School Director Chris Lynch will work together to ensure an easy transition for the community.