Campus tour — meet your mentors and classmates
Saint Stephen's School Logo

Leadership

Meet the people who govern Saint Stephen's in trust for the families we serve - the Head of School and members of the volunteer Board of Trustees.

Peter A. Kraft

Peter A. Kraft, Head of School

Greetings from Saint Stephen’s! From the moment I first walked through SSES’s gates, I had the same feeling as I do today: this is a place where all are welcomed.

Saint Stephen’s was founded on a promise: “that every child will be known and every child will be valued.” This does not happen by accident. Teachers work hard to learn each student’s strengths, their areas for growth, and what brings them joy. In this way, Saint Stephen’s is deeply relational, premised on the core belief that a love of learning and a fundamental sense of integrity stem from students being seen and feeling encouraged to stretch themselves academically, athletically, and artistically.

Saint Stephen’s also believes in balance. While our commitment to academic excellence and a world-class preparation for college means that students will be challenged in ways they have never been before, we never forget learning should be enjoyable. With special traditions like Cookie Break, the Halloween Hootenanny, Interim Quest (IQ), and the Blessing of the Animals, we know that students need a chance to slow down and just enjoy being kids.

Finally, Saint Stephen’s is dynamic. From our state-of-the-art Marine Science Center to our robust global programming to our best-in-state Athletics and Arts programs, there is something for everyone here. Our students are all-state athletes, champion Model UN participants, award-winning playwrights, accomplished classicists, world travelers, and community volunteers. They also care deeply about each other and the world around them.

So come visit us and see for yourself what makes Saint Stephen’s such a wonderful place; you are welcome here!

About the Head of School

A native of Pittsburgh, Peter attended The Lawrenceville (N.J.) School and graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from the College of William and Mary. Peter subsequently earned his master’s in U.S. history from the University of Virginia. He was a Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University Teachers College, where he received a degree in Private School Leadership. His graduate work at Columbia focused on curricular innovation. Peter has been a teacher and administrator in independent schools for more than 25 years, working at the Groton School, Northfield Mount Hermon, Peddie School, Park Tudor School, and Oregon Episcopal School (OES). An avid sports fan and longtime football and basketball coach, Peter also enjoys writing, travel, and fitness.

  • M.A., Columbia University Teachers College
  • M.A., University of Virginia
  • B.A., The College of William and Mary
2026-27 · GOVERNANCE

Board of Trustees

  • Todd McClure

    President

  • Suzy Bracken

    Vice President

  • Hugh MacArthur

    Vice President

  • Melissa Harris

    Treasurer

  • Janelle VanHoose-Esposito

    Secretary

  • Peter A. Kraft

    Head of School

  • Jennifer Alokeh

  • Carlos Beruff

  • Reverend Michael Brady

  • Brian Carter

  • Cassandra Farr

  • Curtis Hamlin ’02

  • Shawn Kaleta

  • Sally McClure

  • Christopher “Chip” Moll

  • Tyler Pullen ’98

  • Michael Sawyer

  • John “Gib” Semmes

  • Veronica Thames

  • John B. Tucker, III ’00