Carol Swainson

Carol A. Swainson, Head of School at San Francisco Schoolhouse has been an administrator in independent schools for 20 years and has taught nearly every discipline from grades 3 through adult. Her various administrative roles have included Diversity Coordinator (Sidwell Friends School), Head of Middle School (Head-Royce School & University of Chicago Laboratory Schools), Associate Head of School (St. James’ Episcopal School) and Head of K-8 (Bentley School). Carol earned a B.A. in French and Spanish languages and an M.Ed. in social foundations from the University of Virginia. Throughout her career, Carol has been an advocate for experiential, international, and arts education; has championed sustainability, diversity, equity, and social justice; and has been a trailblazer in curriculum development, leading the way for the integration of technology and twenty-first century teaching and learning initiatives. 

 

Carol brings deep knowledge as an educator, a DEI practitioner, and a former trustee of Children’s Day School where she gained significant understanding about every aspect of being an independent school in San Francisco. A globalist at heart, Carol is fluent in French and Spanish and has also studied Italian and Arabic. She is also an amateur oboist and composer, having produced original works for theatrical and performance art shows and art installations. Recently, Carol has added filmmaker to her professional acumen, putting her commitment to social justice and the arts by creating the educational film, Conversations with My White Child.