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Seven Hills Installs Matt Bolton as New Head of School

By Marika Lee.

The Seven Hills School installed Matthew Bolton, Ph.D., as the new Head of School at a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 5.

“I am honored and grateful to be taking on the role of Head of School. I approach it less with a sense of pride than with a sense of humility because I know I am joining a long tradition of incredible leaders and educators, who I admire deeply,” Bolton said.

Bolton is the sixth Head of School for Seven Hills. He joined Seven Hills as Head of Upper School in 2014. He succeeds Christopher P. Garten, who led the school for 15 years and retired at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Bolton was selected by the Board of Trustees after a nation-wide search in May 2023 and served as Head of School-elect until Garten’s retirement.

“Matt has a proven track record of excellence leading the Upper School. I really marveled at how universally adored Matt is by students, parents, and faculty and staff alike. What you hear people say about Matt — and what I have gotten to see — is that Matt brings people together,” said Board of Trustees Chair Lair Kennedy, who served on the Head of School Search Committee.

Kennedy’s words were echoed by students who spoke at the event. Seniors William Huguenin and Reagan Licata said Bolton’s positivity has spread around the Upper School and strengthened its sense of community. Lower and Middle School students shared stories that they heard about Bolton and gave him advice, like trusting in his ideas, listening to the community, and declaring more snow days.

“Since he began in 2014, Matt has brought a spirit and a passion to our community that has been transformative,” said Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz. “Matt is the right person at the right time to lead Seven Hills into the future.”

Before coming to Seven Hills, Bolton served as dean of academics, dean of students, and an English teacher at Loyola School in New York City for 15 years. He has a B.A. in English from SUNY: Binghamton University, a Ph.D. in English and a M.Phil. from The City University of New York, and two M.S.Ed. degrees in English education and educational administration and supervision from Fordham University.