About Us

Our Mission

The Phillips Brooks School community inspires students to love learning, to develop a spiritual nature, to communicate effectively, to be kind to others, and to respect the uniqueness of each person.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

PBS places a high priority on this important topic. In 2018, the Board of Trustees initiated an intensive, multi-year study to identify strategies that the school could employ to ensure we are continually evolving on this front and pushing ourselves to learn and grow, both for our students’ sake and for the sake of our greater community.

The efforts of the Board Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are augmented by the appointment of a Faculty Coordinator focused on this topic, as well as a curriculum committee comprised of faculty and staff to work on developing the curriculum.

Our History

1978

1982

In 1982, Elizabeth (Bitsie) Root became Head of School and led PBS until her retirement in 1997. During Bitsie’s tenure, PBS grew to a school of over 200 students in grades pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade, one class per grade. The school adhered to its Episcopalian roots and followed a traditional academic program. In the mid-1990s, the school increased enrollment in preschool through 5th grade and phased out 6th grade.

1997

Beth Passi became the third Head of School in 1997. Beth came from The Blake School in Minnesota and brought with her a strong belief in progressive education. During her tenure at PBS, the academic program morphed from traditional to progressive with the Early Learning Center’s transition to a program inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. The spiritual practices in Chapel became more inclusive of the many faiths represented on campus. Beth created the Associate Head of School position, which was held by Clair Ward from 2000 until 2008.

2005

In 2005, Kristi A. Kerins became the fourth Head of School. With over 30 years of experience in independent schools, Kristi had most recently been Head of School of Lake Forest Country Day School in Chicago and Sanford School in Wilmington, Del. In Kristi’s first three years as Head of School, the Avy Avenue campus was completely rebuilt and renovated. A task force engaged in strategic planning and determined that the school would focus on issues regarding program, identity, and long-term sustainability from 2008 through 2011.

2011

In July 2011, Dr. Scott Erickson became the fifth Head of School. Scott came from the National Cathedral School in Washington, DC, where he served as the director of the middle school. During his first year, Scott led PBS through a strategic planning process and successful accreditation, setting the stage for a transformative 5-year Strategic Plan. His legacy includes a steadfast commitment to attracting and retaining top-tier faculty and staff. After 13 dedicated years, Scott announced that he would conclude his tenure at the end of the 2023–2024 school year.

2023

In 2023, the Board of Trustees appointed Diane Rosenberg as Interim Head of School for the 2024–2025 academic year. A natural choice for the role, Diane has enjoyed a long, collaborative connection with PBS, having served as Head of School at Nueva from 2001 to 2020 and as a PBS Trustee from 2022 to 2024. Her goal as Interim Head is to serve as a bridge between Scott Erickson’s impactful tenure and the exciting future awaiting PBS under its sixth permanent Head of School.

2025

In October 2024, the Board of Trustees appointed Jennifer Bohnen as the sixth permanent Head of School, effective July 1, 2025. Jennifer brings over 25 years of elementary and early childhood education and experience and has an outstanding track record of achievement as a classroom educator, school administrator, and leader. Jennifer currently serves as the Head of School at the Green Hedges School, a preschool–grade 8 day school in Vienna, Virginia.

Core Values

Courage

We value the strength of character and the integrity to do what is right in spite of the risk of fear or discomfort.

Kindness

We value empathy and respect for self and others through honest and effective communication.

Community

We value ourselves as responsible members of both our local and global communities and in doing so demonstrate a deeper understanding and compassion for others.

A Love of Learning

We value learning as a lifelong process, driven by intrinsic motivation and focused on process rather than product.

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