The Meridian Board of Trustees has announced that Jessi Christiansen has been chosen as Meridian’s new Head of School, effective July 1, 2026. Learn more about the thoughtful and extensive search process here, and continue reading below for a letter to our community from Jessi! We are thrilled to welcome Jessi to The Meridian School.
Dear Meridian Community,
It is with heartfelt joy and deep gratitude that I join Meridian School as the next Head of School. For many years, I have admired Meridian School—from its progressive mission and joyful classrooms to its warm, close-knit community. When I first lived on Bagley Avenue and walked my dog through the grounds of the Good Shepherd Center, I often felt drawn to the energy and purpose that radiated from this campus. In so many ways, Meridian has always felt like a kindred spirit, and stepping into this role now feels like coming home.
In truth, it is a homecoming. After more than two decades of living and leading in Seattle’s independent school community, I return to the city I love—now as a mom who will have just sent my only son off to college, and as an educator eager with over 20 years of independent school leadership experience, now ready for a new chapter. I know firsthand the gift of raising a child in a community that both nurtures and challenges, that values curiosity as much as character, and that truly sees each student for who they are. From my first conversations with Meridian’s faculty, trustees, parents, and students, I could feel that same sense of belonging and purpose that defines the best of Seattle’s schools.
What drew me most to Meridian is its unwavering commitment to progressive education—the belief that learning should be meaningful, experiential, and centered on the whole child. I have spent most of my career in schools that share these values, and I have seen how transformative they can be when a community works together with intention and joy. Meridian is poised for such an exciting time ahead: with its upcoming self-study and its 50th anniversary on the horizon, the school has a beautiful opportunity to reflect on its rich history while imagining an even brighter future.
Everywhere I turned during my visit, I encountered what I like to call Meridian’s spirit of humble awesomeness—a quiet confidence in who you are as a community, paired with an openness to growth and change. That combination is rare and deeply inspiring. It’s clear that Meridian is brimming with potential, and I am thrilled to begin this journey with you—listening, learning, and leading together as we continue to strengthen the connections between home and school, support our incredible teachers, and nurture the joy of learning in every child.
Thank you for the warmth and kindness I have already felt from this community. I am honored to join you and excited to see what we will create together in this next extraordinary chapter of Meridian’s story.
With warmth and gratitude,
Jessi Christiansen
