Appointment brings the California school’s pioneering work in civil discourse, experiential learning, and AI to the national stage
LOS OLIVOS, Calif. – In a move that highlights the growing national influence of Dunn School’s progressive educational model, Head of School Kalyan Balaven has been newly appointed to the Board of Trustees for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
Balaven joins the roughly 25-member board—comprising heads of school, trustees, and leaders across the independent school sector—for a three-year term. His appointment serves not only as a prestigious personal honor, but as a powerful national endorsement of Dunn School’s pioneering work in experiential education, civil discourse, and defining authentic humanity in the classroom.
“I am deeply honored to serve NAIS at this level,” Balaven said. “Throughout my journey as an educator, the organization’s work—its research, strategic frameworks, trend reports, and professional learning—has helped shape the way I think about schools and their responsibility to the world. To now contribute to that work is a privilege. More than anything, this appointment reflects the spirit of Dunn School. The ideas our community is
exploring—authentic humanity in the age of AI, belonging as a foundation for learning, the courage of speech and debate, and the power of experiential education—are conversations resonating far beyond our campus. I see this as an opportunity to help carry those ideas forward in service of independent schools everywhere.”
Balaven brings an extensive background in governance and accreditation to the NAIS board. He has served on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the Board of the Independent Schools Experiential Education Network (ISEEN), and the boards of Almaden Country Day School and Northern Light School. He currently serves on CAIS committees dedicated to governance and accreditation across California.
At Dunn School, an elite boarding and day school (grades 6-12), Balaven’s leadership has driven several key market differentiators that are currently shaping independent school best practices nationwide:
- Community, Belonging, and Moral Courage: Prior to the 2024-25 school year, Dunn School launched a first-of-its-kind Center for Community, Belonging, & Purpose. This initiative was funded by a significant grant from the MoJo Foundation. To advance this work globally, the school will partner with Irshad Manji, founder of Moral Courage College, to host the inaugural Moral Courage Summit for Educators in June 2026.
- Experiential and Outdoor Education: Rooted in Hahnian ideals, Dunn’s acclaimed Outdoor Education program is led by Director Mike Chapman, a published essayist frequently featured in education journals. Furthermore, as a Round Square school—belonging to a global network of more than 200 institutions—Dunn offers its students rare international exchange opportunities, setting a high benchmark for character-based education.
- Speech and Debate as Civil Discourse: Recognizing the urgent need for intellectual growth and civil dialogue, Dunn has made Speech and Debate a cornerstone of its curriculum, hosting an annual invitational series that brings together students from across the region to practice the courage of conversation.
- Authentic Humanity in the Age of AI: Balaven is a recognized thought leader on navigating artificial intelligence in education. His recent book, Speaking Truth, Teaching Humanity, builds on the legacy of his mentor, Tommie Lindsey, to champion a movement toward whole-student education. The book provides practices for educators to choose humanity in the age of A.I., ensuring every learner is seen, heard, and
known.
The school’s leadership views the appointment as validation of these ongoing, campus-wide initiatives.
“Kal’s election to the NAIS Board of Trustees powerfully underscores Dunn School’s growing influence within the national independent school community,” said Karen Anderson, Chair of the Dunn School Board of Trustees. “Our campus has become a vibrant hub for exploring transformative ideas in education: fostering civil discourse through robust speech and debate programs, embracing experiential learning as a Round Square school, and cultivating a deep culture of belonging and purpose for every student. For Dunn School, this appointment is both a profound honor and a significant milestone. The board is immensely proud to see Kal’s exceptional leadership recognized at the national level, and we are eager to contribute his insightful perspective to NAIS as independent schools navigate the exciting opportunities and complex challenges ahead.”
Education journalists and peer institutions interested in learning more about Dunn School’s educational model or speaking with Balaven about his new NAIS role can contact Dunn School Director of Marketing & Communication Joshua D. Scroggin at jscroggin@dunnschool.org.
