About Bullis

Dr. Boarman's Biography

Dr. Gerald L. Boarman assumed the responsibility of head of school on July 1, 2010. He comes to Bullis after retiring as chancellor of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), where he has served since July 2000. He’s thrilled to have the opportunity to return to his native Maryland and join the robust and warm community at Bullis. 

Dr. Boarman’s career in education began in Maryland, where he worked for more than 20 years as a teacher in Prince George’s County schools. He was recruited in 2000 to become the chancellor of NCSSM, the nation’s first public, residential high school with a specialized curriculum in science and mathematics. It is the 17th constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system and is located on a twenty-seven acre campus in Durham, N.C. NCSSM enrolls approximately 650 of North Carolina’s junior and senior high school students who come to the campus each year.  In addition, NCSSM was established to serve more than just its own student body. NCSSM’s Distance Education and Outreach efforts provide nearly 7,000 hours of distance education programming every year, including academic instruction, enrichment programming and professional development for students and educators throughout the state.

In his time at NCSSM, Boarman established a Technology Task Force to implement wireless technology across the Durham campus, established a Curriculum, Assessment and Standards Task Force to create a holistic model of living and learning for students in the residential environment, established mechanisms to increase communication between students and administration and implemented a number of programs to give students every opportunity for success – including a supervised study program, a move to a trimester system and a new grading structure. He has also been a strong advocate for the School’s Ethics and Leadership course and statewide conference.

Prior to joining NCSSM, Boarman was the chief educational administrator for the Eleanor Roosevelt Community of Schools, which includes Eleanor Roosevelt High School, a middle school, five elementary schools and a special education center. This well-known group of schools is located in Prince George's County, Md. Boarman served in the Prince George's County school system for thirty years, serving as a teacher, principal, department chair, and administrator. He won many awards including the New American High School Award from the U.S. Department of Education in 1999, the Outstanding Administrator Award from the Educational Media Association in 1998, the Maryland State Principal of the Year Award and a prize for the Milken National Educator Award in 1996.

While in the Prince George’s County school system, Boarman was chosen by the National Academy Foundation and the White House for the National Technology Academy Pilot Program. He also was appointed by the Governor as Chairperson of the Maryland State Task Force on Class Size Reduction and appointed as a member to the State Task Force on "Opportunities to Learn." As a result of his spearheading, the White House Blue Ribbon School Program teaming process at Eleanor Roosevelt, the high school was a National Winner in 1991 and in 1997.

Although Boarman has extensive administrative experience, he began his career as a teacher and remains actively engaged in teaching and learning. He has presented nationwide on Hybrid Scheduling, Restructuring High School and Improving Student Achievement. He successfully initiated and received a two-year comprehensive grant for the summer Black Male Achievement Program. He serves on the Board of Advisors for the Children's Rights Council and the National Association of School Resource Offices. Boarman has developed opportunities and partnerships with Federal and private agencies, including NASA, the National Archives, and the University of Maryland, to offer internships and mentoring programs to students. He co-authored an article entitled "The Hybrid Schedule: Scheduling to the Curriculum," published in the NASSP Bulletin and presented at the National Association of Secondary School Principal's Convention. Boarman and his work were featured in the book Twelve Schools that Succeed.

Boarman earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Maryland and his doctorate in educational leadership from N. Southeastern University in Miami. He and his wife Valerie live on the Bullis campus.