Kaaren Andrews

Kaaren Andrews serves as the National Director of CHSS after serving as Washington State Director from 2019-2021.  

Over the past 20+ years, Kaaren has worked as a leader in public schools in Washington and California to address systemic and structural inequities that continue to negatively impact the most vulnerable youth. She’s served as a principal for five schools, serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Prior to joining CHSS, she spent nine years building an alternative high school program in Seattle called Interagency Academy that serves almost 2000 students each year across twelve campuses. All her work was done in partnership with multiple local government and community organizations bringing resources and expertise in adolescent health, housing support, addiction, mental health, vocational training, community college, and the arts. She’s learned very intimately what happens to students when they don’t succeed in high school, and she has been integral in correcting the course for many students through alternative school education. 

While recognizing the structural challenges of meeting the diverse needs of individuals, particularly those impacted by institutional racism, poverty, and inequitable access to opportunity in our communities, she maintains a firm belief in our public schools as the central ecosystem most capable of promoting broad social change through thoughtful assessment, provision, and monitoring of intentional and intensive academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and vocational support. 

Kaaren played basketball and graduated from Princeton University, and it was there that her passion for this work began. She received her Master’s from Stanford University in Education Policy and Administration. She lives in Seattle, is married, and has two amazing teenage daughters. 

Currently, Kaaren serves on the Advisory Board for the Grad Partnership Advisory Board.  

In 9th grade, Kaaren loved sports and thought she had great style. 

Kandrews@highschoolsuccess.org