Leadership

Head of School James A. Hamilton

James A. Hamilton became Peddie’s 17th Head of School on July 1, 2025.

Previously the Head of School of Berwick Academy in Maine, Jim has spent his entire career in independent schools as a teacher, coach and school leader. In addition to his work at Berwick, he was the Associate Head for External Affairs at Brooks School in Massachusetts and the Director of Admission at St. George’s School in Rhode Island. He began his independent school career at Brooks, where his first role was Director of Financial Aid and Associate Director of Admission.

In addition to his leadership roles, Jim has taught English; coached basketball, baseball and football; and served as an advisor and dorm parent.

A lifelong New Englander, Jim attended The Roxbury Latin School in Boston before earning degrees from Amherst College (B.A., English) and Wesleyan University (M.A., Liberal Studies). He gives back to the schools he attended, including serving on the Board of Trustees of Roxbury Latin and as a class agent at Amherst. Well known in the independent school community, Jim is chair of the Board of Trustees of the Enrollment Management Association and serves on the Board of Directors of The Music Hall in Portsmouth, N.H.

Jim and his wife, Lucy, live on campus and have three children.