She was selected from a strong group of finalists, emerging from a comprehensive national search.
Moorestown Friends School Director of College Counseling Meredith Hanamirian has been appointed the school’s Upper School Director (principal) effective July 1. Hanamirian was selected from a strong group of finalists, emerging from a comprehensive national search. Hanamirian will replace Justin Brandon, who was recently appointed Upper School Principal at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago.
“I have spent more than 20 years of my life in Quaker schools as a student, teacher, parent, administrator and college counselor,” Hanamirian said. “I believe strongly in the value of Quaker education and look forward to working with our community in this exciting new role.”
Hanamirian has been the Director of College Counseling at MFS since 2010. She is responsible for the operation of the three-person office that serves all students and families as they navigate the college search and application process. Hanamirian has also taught Upper School Spanish from 2010 to 2014, and she co-designed the acclaimed MFS Peer Leadership program, which began in 2014. She co-clerks Upper School faculty meetings, co-clerked the school’s Diversity Committee from 2012 through 2016 and was heavily involved in the school’s strategic planning process in the early part of this decade.
“Meredith has all the qualities one seeks in a Friends School leader,” Head of School Larry Van Meter said. “Her vast experience and background combined with her knowledge of the school community made her a stellar candidate. I am thankful for the critical feedback from students, faculty, staff, and administration during the extensive national search led by Associate Head Chris Kimberly.”
An experienced independent school teacher and administrator, Hanamirian previously worked as Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Director of College Counseling and as a Spanish teacher at Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison. Prior to Wardlaw-Hartridge, she taught Spanish at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Mass. and McLean School in Potomac, Md.
She has an master’s in private school leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a bachelor’s in psychology from Bates College. She is also a graduate of Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, where she was the student government president.
Hanamirian and her husband, John, live nearby in Moorestown and are parents of Ella ’20 and Vani ’22, who have been MFS students since preschool.
