The Gateway School is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sherri Helvie as its next Head of School.
Following the announcement of Laurie Gruhn’s retirement (Head of School, 2020 to 2025), the Board of Trustees partnered with the search firm RG175 to begin a comprehensive national search. A Search Committee, supported by a Search Chair and an Advisory Committee of faculty, staff, and administrators, guided the process.
Throughout the search, the Board remained focused on Gateway’s mission to transform the lives of bright students with language-based learning disabilities and attention deficits. Candidates were evaluated for their proven leadership, deep understanding of special education, and dedication to cultivating a school environment where expert teaching, individualized support, and research-informed practices help every student grow. The committee prioritized candidates who demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing Gateway’s mission, ensuring that students develop the language, literacy, and critical thinking skills that empower them to thrive in school and beyond.
The process included meaningful engagement with the entire Gateway community, including finalist campus visits and broad feedback collection. On August 1, 2025, Dr. Sherri Helvie began serving as Interim Head of School. After careful consideration of her leadership and community input, the Board reached an enthusiastic consensus to appoint her as the permanent Head of School.
Dr. Helvie’s appointment reflects our shared belief that the relationship between school and families is essential to helping students recognize their strengths, experience academic and social success, and develop into independent learners. Her leadership will strengthen Gateway’s commitment to small, inclusive, and diverse learning environments where every student can thrive.
For the full announcement, please refer to our “Updates” section below.
Updates
- November 14, 2025: Gateway's Next Head of School is Appointed
September 17, 2025: Read the September Update from the Search Chair for the Head of School Search Committee
August 1, 2025: Interim Head of The Gateway School Named
August 1, 2025: Welcome from Gateway's Interim Head of School
March 11, 2025: Read the Announcement from Polly Brandmeyer, Chair, Board of Trustees
March 11, 2025: Read the Announcement from Laurie Gruhn, Head of School
March 12, 2025: Read the Introduction from the Search Chair of the Head of School Search Committee
May 19, 2025: Read the May Update from the Search Chair of the Head of School Search Committee
Search Committee
Recognizing the profound importance of selecting the next Head of School, the Board of Trustees formed a Search Committee when they launched the search process. This committee, comprised of the Board's Executive Committee, leveraged their extensive knowledge of The Gateway School, ensuring that Gateway chose an incoming Head of School to build on the school's strong foundation: its mission, program, and commitment to student success.
Supporting this work was Gateway's Advisory Committee comprised of esteemed members of Gateway’s faculty and staff.
Christopher York, Search Committee Chair, Trustee, Current Gateway Parent
Polly Brandmeyer, Chair, Board of Trustees, Former Gateway Parent
Patrick Brennan, Trustee, Gateway Parent
Leslie de Oliveira, Trustee, Gateway Parent
Sandhya Espitia, Trustee, Gateway Parent
Katherine Grier, Trustee Ex Officio, Parents Association Co-President, Gateway Parent
John Banta, Grandstand Teacher
Christy M. Brockhausen, Ph.D., Assistant Head of School & Director of Lower School
Tanya Ehrlich, Director of Placement
Heather Ironside, Director of Admissions
Julie Nguyen, Director of Middle School
Valerie Rafal, Director of Mathematics
Maureen Ryan, Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Joseph Sonenshein, Head Teacher
Search Firm
The Gateway School partnered with Resource Group 175 (“RG175”) to assist in the important search for its next Head of School. RG175 is one of the leading search firms for independent schools in the U.S. and abroad. They bring 22 years of experience, a vast network of potential candidates, and extensive knowledge about independent schools. John Farber led Gateway's search team from RG175.