Oakwood School Names Dr. Cameron Helvey as Head of School

Oakwood School announced that Dr. Cameron Helvey officially became Head of School on July 1, 2026, succeeding founder Michelle Helvey. Dr. Helvey previously served as Oakwood's Associate Head of School and was one of the school's founding students in 1998.

“Cameron has had a lifetime of preparation for this time and place, and Oakwood will be blessed by his education, experience, and strong leadership,” said Michelle Helvey, Oakwood's founding Head of School. “Oakwood School is very fortunate to have both a home-grown and best-practices leader in Cameron Helvey.”

Dr. Helvey is Michelle Helvey's son, and his appointment continues a tradition of generational leadership tracing back to Michelle's grandparents, who founded Pinewood School in Los Altos nearly seven decades ago. Michelle and her husband, Ted Helvey, co-founded Oakwood, now a thriving independent school serving nearly 700 students from preschool through 12th grade. Together, they have led the school for nearly three decades, and both plan to remain involved in an advisory capacity as Dr. Helvey begins his tenure.

Dr. Helvey brings a career built across three countries, five states, and three degrees, including a Bachelor's from Brigham Young University, a Master's from Columbia University's Teachers College, and a Doctor of Education in K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College. He has taught and led at independent schools in China, California, New Jersey, and Tennessee, and is a current recipient of the National Association of Independent Schools' (NAIS) Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads. He returned to Oakwood in 2024 as Associate Head of School, overseeing enrollment, marketing and communications, development, business operations, and athletics.

“Since the moment I first set foot as a student on this school's campus in 1998, I felt something special here,” said Dr. Helvey in a letter to the school community. “It's my privilege and honor to work alongside each one of you to build upon the foundation that has been laid and continue the extraordinary legacy of Oakwood School to serve generations to come.”