• Drone

About
Our Community

Welcome & Head of School

Welcome to Athenian, an independent renowned school community of 535 talented and passionate students in grades 6-12, guided by a terrific committed and caring faculty. We balance rigorous courses and high academic standards with signature experiential programming in a stunning and unparalleled campus setting on the edge of a state park at the base of Mount Diablo. We support students in developing their ability to think, solve problems and build community, because these are the capacities and ways of being that best prepare them to contribute to their own communities, local and global. 
 
Throughout their time at Athenian, our students gain demonstrable skills in persistence, collaboration, courage, adaptability and social and cultural self-awareness. Certainly, we are proud of our exceptional record of college and university matriculation for our graduates, and we are proud of the meaningful contributions and differences our alumni are making in the world everyday. 
 
Students at Athenian want to be here. Teachers, coaches, advisors, and staff at Athenian dig deep to inspire, instruct, and stretch students, as they explore intellectually in our classrooms and through our signature experiential and global programs. When our students graduate, they’re prepared not only for college but also for lives of impact. 
 
Come to campus and experience our joyful, vibrant community in action. Meet our writers, scientists, athletes, artists, explorers, builders, mathematicians, activists and entrepreneurs. See Athenian for yourself. We can’t wait to meet you.
 
Quincy McLaughlin
Interim Head of School
 



Leadership Updates:

Leadership Team

Naoko Akiyama
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice 

Bobby Bardenhagen
Director of Educational Technology

Amy Rasner Clulow
Director of People & Culture 

Meadow Davis
Assistant Head of School & Head of Upper School

Erin Fredrick
Director of Philanthropy

Yocelin Gonzalez
Director of Enrollment Management

Justin Guerra 
Middle School Head

Quincy McLaughlin
Interim Head of School

Keith Powell
Chief Operating Officer

Shoshana Ziblatt '92
Director of Strategic Communications