About Polly Fredlund

Polly Oppmann Fredlund is Westover's eighth Head of School. She is an independent school leader with over twenty-five years of experience working in schools and, prior to Westover, served as the Assistant Head of School for Community Engagement at The Bush School in Seattle, Washington.

Over her time in schools, Polly has served as an Assistant Head of School, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Assistant Director of Upper School, English teacher, coach, outdoor leader, and advisor. 

At The Bush School, she oversaw enrollment, communications, summer programs, K-12 community programming, and community partnerships. Polly taught an interdisciplinary class in women’s leadership, collaborated with faculty on professional development retreats and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, served on the school’s advancement council, and worked with the Board to set strategic priorities and conduct institutional research. 

Polly’s background in educational leadership includes extensive experience in girls’ schools, including working at her alma mater Hathaway Brown School (Shaker Heights, OH), National Cathedral School (Washington, D.C.), and Forest Ridge (Seattle, WA). She is an alumna of a girls’ school, attending Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, OH for thirteen years, and returning as an educator to serve as the Director of the Center for Girls’ and Women’s Leadership and Assistant Director of Upper School in addition to various roles in admissions.

Polly received her bachelor’s degree in Comparative Literary Studies from Northwestern University and a master’s in education from the University of Vermont. Her undergraduate studies concentrated on women’s literature and African studies, including travel to East Africa to study African history, literature, and women’s studies. 

Polly is a life-long learner and athlete who enjoys reading, getting outdoors, running, and traveling to destinations new and familiar. She lives on campus with her family,  husband Camron, two daughters Sigrid and Louisa, and their pack of three lovable dogs Flip, Trib, and Blue.