Freeman to Become Head of Brimmer and May School

Brooks School is proud to share that Associate Head of School Nina Freeman has been named the next head of Brimmer and May School.

"I cannot imagine anyone better prepared to become a head of school than Nina Freeman," said Head of School John Packard. "She has served in senior leadership roles at multiple schools, served successfully as an acting head of school, and brings exceptional experience and expertise to the role. Most importantly, however, Nina possesses a rare ability to connect with people, meet them where they are, and build trust through authenticity, empathy, and genuine care for others."

Freeman will remain at Brooks for the 2026-2027 academic year before departing Great Pond Road to begin her appointment at Brimmer and May School on July 1, 2027.

"Brimmer and May is a wonderful community, and I am honored to have been selected as its next leader. I'm excited to work with students of all ages again and to build on the lessons I've learned at Brooks while helping advance Brimmer's mission and future," said Freeman.

Freeman’s impact during her time at Brooks has been significant. Since arriving at Brooks in 2022, she has become a trusted leader, known for her thoughtful approach, collaborative style and steadfast commitment to students and faculty.

"From the moment she arrived at Brooks, Nina invested deeply in understanding our community," Packard said. "She took the time to listen, learn and build relationships with faculty, staff, students and families. That foundation of trust has enabled her to lead thoughtfully and effectively while helping move the school forward in meaningful ways."

That relationship-centered approach has informed much of Freeman's work at Brooks. During her tenure, she has played a key role in advancing important institutional initiatives, including faculty recruitment and evaluation, academic planning and the continued advancement of the school's Academic Master Plan. She has also provided steady oversight of the school's day-to-day operations, including student affairs, academic affairs, athletics, college counseling and health and wellness. Her successful service as Interim Head of School during Packard's sabbatical further demonstrated her ability to lead with confidence, sound judgment and a deep understanding of independent school governance while serving as a trusted partner to the Board of Trustees.

Reflecting on her time at Brooks, Freeman is quick to credit the people around her for many of the accomplishments she is most proud of.

"Most of my proudest moments have come through working in partnership with others on campus. I think about the Academic Commons opening this fall, hiring mission-aligned and talented faculty, the design and rollout of the cell phone policy and my co-teaching and coaching experiences. There isn't a single thing I've accomplished here in a vacuum, and I'm incredibly grateful for the perspectives of my colleagues and for John Packard's mentorship and trust," said Freeman.

Packard believes those qualities of humility, collaboration and genuine care for others are among the many reasons Freeman will thrive in her next role.

"My hope is that the Brimmer and May community comes to appreciate what we have come to value so deeply at Brooks," Packard said. "They are gaining a leader of tremendous character, wisdom and humanity. Nina has made a lasting impact on this school, and while we will miss her greatly, we could not be happier for her."

As she prepares for her final year at Brooks, Freeman says it is the people she will miss most.

"I am going to miss the people most. Everyone at Brooks is deeply dedicated and committed to their work. We all play a role in making this community special, and it has been inspiring to see people contribute in so many different ways. I am grateful for the relationships I have built with every constituency of the school, and I will always hold the Brooks community dear to my heart."

THE FULL TEXT OF BRIMMER AND MAY SCHOOL'S ANNOUNCEMENT IS REPRINTED BELOW WITH PERMISSION.

June 16, 2026

Dear Brimmer and May School Community, 

I am thrilled to announce that Nina Freeman has been appointed by the Board of Trustees to be Brimmer and May School’s next Head of School starting on July 1, 2027. Her appointment follows an enthusiastic recommendation from the Head of School Search Committee and approval by the Board of Trustees. Ms. Freeman comes to Brimmer after an in-depth and thorough national search.

Ms. Freeman brings a wide range of experiences and capabilities to the role of Head of School. She currently serves as Associate Head of School at Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts, where she has worked since 2022, overseeing day-to-day operations spanning student, academic, and faculty affairs; athletics; college counseling; and health and wellness. She also serves on Board committees and chairs the Academic Master Plan Committee. In addition, she served as Acting Head of School at Brooks during the Head of School’s six-month sabbatical, leading the school while supporting the ongoing $85 million capital campaign. Prior to her work at Brooks, Ms. Freeman joined Greenwich Academy in 2011 as a teacher and a coach and from 2016 to 2022 served as the Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid. Throughout her school experiences, Ms. Freeman has remained connected to the students in her roles as a teacher, coach, and advisor. Outside of school, she is a commissioner at New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is currently a trustee at the Meadowbrook School.

Ms. Freeman holds an M.Ed. in Private School Leadership from Columbia University Teachers College, an M.F.A. in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater, and a B.A. in Africana Studies from Brown University, where she was a two-time NCAA Division I Rowing Champion. She attended Meadowbrook School and Noble and Greenough School, giving her deep roots in the Boston-area independent school community as both a student and school leader.

Throughout the search process, Ms. Freeman's commitment to Brimmer’s student-centered, whole-child philosophy was unmistakable. Her warmth and relational presence made a powerful impression on faculty, staff, parents, students, alumni, and trustees alike. She will bring to Brimmer this presence and her compelling ability to tell a school’s story to prospective families and the wider community. Upon her appointment, Ms. Freeman shared the following:

"I am delighted and humbled to be named Brimmer and May’s next Head of School. From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt at home. I was continuously impressed by not only the warmth and kindness that filled the hallways, but the sincere ways that everyone (of all ages) embodied the mission and Core Values of the school. It is my greatest honor to steward a place that is student-centered in a way that aligns with my leadership philosophy and experience. I am tremendously fortunate to become a part of Brimmer and May’s impressive story and am eager to write the next chapter together in partnership and community. Thank you for this opportunity."

Voices from Our Community

Following Ms. Freeman’s campus visit, our community shared their reflections. Here is a sampling of comments: 

“Ms. Freeman has an almost unbelievable array of strengths, including her deep experience in so many aspects of running an independent school, her background in enrollment, her creative problem solving, her sense of community, and her desire to be at a school that upholds values that resonate with her."

“Ms. Freeman demonstrated a wonderful balance of intellect, humor, and enthusiasm for a PK-12 school and Brimmer in particular, and has an understanding of the awesome responsibilities ahead.” 

“Ms. Freeman has a rare combination of vision, presence, and a genuine connection to this role. As a confident and articulate public speaker, she commands a room while remaining warm and accessible.” 

The Search Process

The appointment of Ms. Freeman is the culmination of a comprehensive, months-long national search led by the Brimmer and May Search Committee with the help of consultants Carney Sandoe & Associates. The search yielded over one hundred submissions and a robust process over nine months resulting in four finalists and ultimately in Ms. Freeman’s appointment. 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the members of the Search Committee, and to parents, guardians, faculty and staff members, students, alumni, and trustees who contributed to what was a thorough, thoughtful, and community-centered search.

Moving Forward

Ms. Freeman comes to Brimmer at a moment of great excitement. With the new Recreation & Wellness Center opening this fall and a new strategic plan on the horizon, the School is poised for an exciting next chapter. Ms. Freeman's transition year will include connections with Mrs. Guild, the leadership team, and the Board of Trustees, as well as opportunities to meet and welcome Ms. Freeman to our community. Updates will be available this fall. 

In the meantime, please join me in welcoming Nina Freeman to the Brimmer and May School. We look forward to this exciting next chapter together. 

With gratitude,

Chris Chou P '29, '33          
Chair, Board of Trustees
Chair, Head of School Search Committee