Our Leadership

J. Ross Peters, Head of School

Mr. Ross Peters is the Head of School at St. George’s Independent School, a position he’s held since 2015. He moved with his family to Memphis from Atlanta, where he was Head of Upper School at The Westminster Schools.

Inspired by the school’s distinctive mission, Mr. Peters jumped at the opportunity to solidify the St. George’s reputation as the place where active, experiential learning is commonplace, collaborative work is seen at all grade levels, and teachers push the boundaries of traditional learning in order to advance fresh methods. “This rare school is uniquely positioned to help students become the adults who will contribute to and lead an exciting and challenging global society,” says Mr. Peters.

Mr. Peters has a deep appreciation for the St. George’s culture, including the delicate balance between vigorous academics and strong athletics. As a coach for more than 20 years, Mr. Peters knows all too well the important role athletics and team sports play in the life of a great school. “I’m extraordinarily proud of the remarkably high percentage of our students who participate in our athletic program.”

Previously at Hawken School in Cleveland, Ohio and Asheville School in Asheville, North Carolina, he began his career as an English teacher and a tennis and lacrosse coach at Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mr. Peters and his wife, Katie, live in Collierville and have one daughter, Eleanor ’22.

Blog:
Ross All Over The Map

IN THIS SECTION

Campus Leadership

Will Bladt Associate Head of School

"St. George’s graduates are not only prepared to thrive academically in college, but through their experiences at our school, they are already engaged in making their communities better."

Stewart Burgess Lower School Director of Early Childhood Learning

"I fell for St. George's as a prospective parent on an admission tour years ago, and I still see the same impressive pattern of behavior and events going on here every day. Both the students and the teachers are so relaxed and engaged in what they are doing that it is impossible not to find the St. George's approach to teaching and learning compelling."

Allison Betchick-Harber Germantown Campus Director

"The dedicated faculty of St. George's prepares students for the day ahead by challenging them to take their learning to the next level. They utilize engaging and innovative instruction designed to encourage collaboration and communication among classmates, which are skills that are vital in our ever changing world."

Andrea Ballard Memphis Campus Director

"St. George’s is the kind of school I wish I had attended as a child—one that sees the individual child, the potential within, and provides opportunities for each to capitalize on his or her gifts, talents, and interests. It’s an inclusive community, always seeking avenues to grow, improve and strengthen our work."

Traci Osterhagen-Brock Director of Middle School

"If there is one encompassing question that connects middle school faculty and staff in their work at St. George's, it is the desire to help our students answer the essential middle school question: Who am I? Our faculty is committed to nurturing each child academically, socially, and emotionally to help them achieve their personal and academic goals."

Pam McCarthy Upper School Director

"I was drawn to the mission of St. George's, specifically the piece that references preparing students to be meaningful contributors. St. George's is a place that truly walks its talk."