Welcome From the Interim Head of School
To know Berkeley Preparatory School is to know that we are a community defined by kindness, passion, commitment, optimism, positive energy, respect, and a desire for excellence. We are a place where students are known and nurtured, and teachers lead with expertise and heart. Berkeley is a school that is steadfastly focused on creating the best possible environment for the children in our care. Constantly innovating, our faculty help students reach their full and unique potential, preparing them for success in college and beyond.
At Berkeley, we “put people in the world who make a positive difference.” During his 14-year tenure, Headmaster Joseph W. Seivold brought that calling to life. I feel honored to have worked closely with him for 12 years, and his accomplishments serve as inspiration while I lead this incredible institution during this interim phase.
We are enormously proud of our broad and rich curriculum, our robust and engaging co-curricular activities, and our dedication to service. There is no better way to understand the Berkeley experience than by seeing it in action. I invite you to schedule a tour of our 86-acre campus, explore our state-of-the-art facilities, meet our outstanding educators, and discover why it’s great to be a Berkeley Buccaneer.
Sincerely,
Kim Graham Lawless
Interim Head of School
Learn More About Kim Graham Lawless
Kim Graham Lawless joined Berkeley Preparatory School in 2013, and before taking on the role of Interim Head of School, she served as one of Headmaster Seivold’s top advisors as Assistant Head of School. Deeply knowledgeable about all aspects of institutional operations, she has collaborated with the Board of Trustees, as well as partnered with the Headmaster to support the school’s leadership teams, including the Lead Administrative Team, the Division Director Team, and the Berkeley Leadership Council.
In her six years serving in the Assistant Head role, Kim has been integral in developing, guiding, or leading strategic priorities for the school, including the school’s most recent accreditation process, the Curriculum, Teaching, and Leadership Committee, the Berkeley Instructional Coaching Program, and the COVID-19 Task Force. She developed the Center for Advanced Experiential Learning, the annual Berkeley Speaker Series, and Berkeley’s AI innovation pilot program, as well as oversaw the launch of the Berkeley Food Pantry. Additionally, she founded the unique and successful Berkeley Academy (now celebrating 10 years), as well as countless other service initiatives aimed at helping Berkeley’s students make a positive difference in the world.
Prior to joining Berkeley, Kim was a founding team member of KIPP DC: College Preparatory, a charter high school in Washington, D.C. She holds a Master of Education degree in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Florida, graduating magna cum laude from both institutions.