Who We Are
We expand the nature of school by turning strong foundations into bold thinking and real-world results.
We are a community of thinkers & doers.
Students
At Beaver, students grow and develop, learn who they are, what they want, and how to get it. They thrive discovering the whats, exploring the hows, and challenging the whys with tools and partners that reflect the ever-changing now.
Teachers
Beaver teachers are mentors, experts, collaborators, and motivators, dedicated to each and every student reaching their potential. They are more than instructors—they are the designers of rich learning experiences.
Alumni
Beaver alumni stand out: not only for the strength of our college list and the wide range of degrees they pursue, but for the resilience, curiosity, and innovative ideas they carry into life beyond college.
The Beaver Vision & Mindset
OUR VISION
Beaver strives to expand the nature of school for students and teachers.
We are deeply committed to individual student success in an actively collaborative environment, our teachers challenge students to:
Identify and build upon strengths
Engage with real-world challenges and questions
Act effectively within a diverse cultural and social framework
OUR MINDSET
The Beaver Mindset is a uniquely designed framework, underpinning the pedagogy and philosophy for how our students and faculty experience school.
We present knowledge critical to success in a way that is fresh, experiential, and contextually relevant. We expect Beaver students to dig deeper, think bigger, and do more with what they are learning.
The BVR Basics
Beaver students are immersed in complex challenges and meaningful work—where ideas spark action, exploration is encouraged, and the classroom can be anywhere.
As a future-focused school, we design curriculum that goes beyond the basics. These BVR Basics do more than prepare our students for college—they prepare them for life. Every course and project builds these crucial skills alongside deep content knowledge.
- creative problem-solving
- collaboration
- tech & media literacy
- Global perspective
- empathy
- visual communication
- presentation skills
Today’s world is dynamic and demanding. Mastering facts is essential, but only the beginning. Students must know how to apply their knowledge, adapt to change, and lead with confidence and empathy.
At Beaver, students go beyond mastery of content and conventional problem-solving. They are prepared for an undefined era where the BVR Basics are the cornerstones of professional success and personal development.
Beaver Faculty
Interim Head of School, 25-26
Sarah Pelmas
Sarah Pelmas is Beaver’s Interim Head of School for the 2025–26 academic year, bringing more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, leader, and innovator in independent schools.
She spent nearly a decade as Head of School at The Winsor School and has held leadership roles at schools across the country, including Associate Head and Head of Upper School at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., and Dean of Students at San Francisco University High School, where she began her career as an Upper School English teacher.
Sarah also knows Beaver. As a former Beaver parent (Class of 2025!), she has seen firsthand how this community sparks creativity, independence, and curiosity in every student. She’s deeply aligned with Beaver’s mission and brings warmth, energy, and a collaborative spirit to the role.
As the search for Beaver’s next permanent Head of School gets underway, Sarah will lead the community through the year ahead—working alongside students, faculty, staff, and families to keep Beaver moving forward.