Remembering Barnaby Roberts H’90, Former Head of School

Barnaby Roberts H'90, P'90, P'94, who was head of school at Chestnut Hill Academy (CHA), now SCH, in the 1980s, passed away on August 4, 2026.

During his tenure at CHA from 1979 to 1990, Roberts spearheaded significant academic, structural, and cultural improvements while preserving the school's core traditions. He took a hands-on approach to leadership, elevated academic standards by tightening admissions, attracting high-caliber faculty, expanding recruitment to 58 zip codes, and introducing early computer technology.

Responsive to the student body, he approved changing the mascot from the "Hillers" to the "Blue Devils," expanded the Coordinate Program with Springside School, and established the CHA archives. Roberts also revitalized the campus physical plant: he oversaw the swift rebuilding of the fire-damaged music wing, installed elevator access, and launched the successful Campaign for Enduring Excellence, which raised over $2.1 million to renovate the Middle School and restore the building's historic red roof.

Barnaby Roberts was the father of alumni Arianne Roberts '90 and Amanda Roberts Davis '94.

Read his obituary here and submit a remembrance here.