A New Era at Catlin Gabel: Dr. Aline García Rubio Returns as Head of School

As the 2026 school year begins, a longtime Catlin Gabel educator and innovator steps into the school’s top leadership role after two decades shaping the Catlin Gabel experience.

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 27, 2026—Dr. Aline García Rubio has taught Catlin Gabel’s students, mentored its teachers, and reimagined learning in its Upper School. On August 31, she welcomes students in preschool through 12th grade back to campus as Head of School.

Catlin Gabel, located in SW Portland, is Oregon’s top independent school, recognized nationally for its academic excellence and emphasis on experiential learning. The school traces its history to the late 19th century, when it was founded by two female pioneers of progressive education—an approach rooted in whole-child development and student-driven inquiry. For García Rubio, leading Catlin Gabel means carrying that tradition forward while continuing to evolve what progressive education can look like in a changing world.

“My job here is to protect and expand what makes this education both challenging and joyful,” said García Rubio. “I care deeply about preparing students for our current era of societal and technological change.”

García Rubio has known Catlin Gabel as a student, teacher, department chair, dean, head of the Upper School, and parent. She first came to the school at 17 from Mexico City through a one-year exchange scholarship. The experience left a lasting impression, and she returned in 2004 to teach Upper School science. She succeeds Tim Bazemore, who retired in June after 12 years as Head of School.

García Rubio earned her medical degree from Universidad La Salle in Mexico City before beginning a career in education that took her from Mexico City to Punahou School in Hawai‘i, and then to Catlin Gabel.

“Careful observation, working with people, and complex problem solving are skills I developed while learning medicine and which continue to influence my approach to education and leadership,” said García Rubio.

As Head of the Upper School (grades 9–12), García Rubio helped redefine how students learn, guiding the transition to competency-based learning, in which students advance by demonstrating mastery of specific skills. She also expanded Immersives, one of Catlin Gabel’s signature experiences, during which students set aside their regular classes for two weeks to pursue experiential projects such as backpacking the Mount Jefferson Wilderness or building a pinball machine from scratch. 

“A Catlin Gabel education asks students to think for themselves, work with people who see things differently, and act responsibly from their own conclusions. Those skills have never been more valuable than they are right now,” said García Rubio.

From 2024 to 2026, García Rubio served as Associate Head of School at Oregon Episcopal School, where she oversaw the PS–12 academic program, developed the school’s first AI guidelines, and built a faculty growth and evaluation system. Now, as she returns to Catlin Gabel, she is taking time to rediscover the community before charting what comes next.

“I am learning and relearning Catlin Gabel. My curiosity is provoked, and my work is taking shape through discovery and conversation,” said García Rubio. “I am also committed to taking a listening stance as I talk with students, parents, and staff and I will approach conversations with fresh eyes and a sense of wonder.”

That listening is already informing her early priorities: establishing mission-aligned uses of technology, strengthening connections across the school, and opening new avenues between Catlin Gabel and the wider Portland community.

García Rubio was selected in 2025 through a national search led by a committee of alumni, trustees, faculty, and staff in partnership with the firm Spencer Stuart, and was unanimously appointed by the Board of Trustees.

“Aline’s leadership is built on more than twenty years of teaching and leading within independent schools. Her expertise in progressive education will strengthen the student experience and keep Catlin Gabel a leader in academics,” said John Gilleland, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Our graduates come away well prepared for college and for life as independent thinkers. Aline will make sure this continues while enhancing our curriculum to include new opportunities for students.”

García Rubio arrives during a period of significant investment at the school, including construction of the 36,000-square-foot Schnitzer Center, an athletics and community facility slated for completion in 2027. She will carry forward the school’s commitment to experiential and student-centered learning, faculty support and development, and student well-being and belonging.

About Catlin Gabel School

Catlin Gabel is a nationally recognized progressive private day school, serving 790 students from preschool through 12th grade on a 67-acre campus in Southwest Portland. The school champions an experiential model of learning, nurturing each student’s curiosity in an inclusive community that values creativity, character, and a lifelong love of learning. Students are empowered to think critically, explore boldly, and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Catlin Gabel is ranked the #1 Best Private K-12 School in Oregon by the school ranking and review service Niche.