Who we are

Oakes Hunnewell founded Hunnewell Education Group, LLC after fifteen years of working with adolescents and young adults. Born and raised in Paris, France, Mr. Hunnewell earned a B.A. in Political Science from Syracuse University before moving to Washington, DC to work for the Office of then Majority Leader, Congressman Richard Gephardt. His educational career began in 1994 in Millbrook, NY where he taught French, history and third grade science at Dutchess Day School.  

In 1998, Mr. Hunnewell earned a Masters in School Administration from Harvard University. While at Harvard, he worked extensively with Shackleton Schools, an experiential-education secondary school in Massachusetts, developing curricula for its first year of operation. Subsequently, Mr. Hunnewell taught  French at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, MD, where he also served on the admissions committee, was an advisor to the junior class, and coached the boys' tennis teams. While at St. Andrew's, Mr. Hunnewell started an exchange program with L'École des Roches, a boarding school in Normandy, France.     

In 2004, he joined the staff of The School Counseling Group, an educational consulting firm based in Washington, DC that has cultivated a strong national and international reputation. There, Mr. Hunnewell served as the college counselor and, for five years, worked with a wide range students (mostly from Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland) helping them to find the appropriate colleges, post graduate and gap year programs.

Mr. Hunnewell currently resides in Wellesley, Massachusetts in suburban Boston with his wife and 2 children.  He enjoys playing sports, including squash and tennis. He is an umpire for the United States Tennis Association (USTA). He also is an avid biker and runner. He is an enthusiastic traveler and a family man. In addition to the USTA, Mr. Hunnewell is a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), the Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA) and is a Certified Education Consultant (CEP).  Mr. Hunnewell is on the Board of Trustees at Walnut Hill School, a boarding school for students interested in education and the arts.

Chris Overbye joined the Hunnewell Education Group in the fall of 2010 after having spent the past 20 years as a teacher and administrator at several leading independent day and boarding schools across New England. Before joining Hunnewell Education Group, Chris worked as Director of Admissions at Dexter and Southfield Schools managing the expansion of the K-12 enrollment and also served as Director of Admissions at Lawrence Academy and the Indian Mountain School.

In addition to his admission's experience, Chris has served as Director of Development at the Meadowbrook School and at his alma mater, Salisbury School. Chris has enjoyed interacting with students, faculty and parents as an English teacher, a dorm parent, a student advisor and a basketball, baseball and golf coach at Lawrence Academy, Indian Mountain School and the Dexter and Southfield Schools.

As a lifelong advocate for private elementary and secondary boarding schools, Chris brings a wealth of personal and professional knowledge and understands the complexities of both domestic and international applications. "Matching the strengths and talents of applicants to the right day or boarding school is critical to the success of each student. Setting goals for each applicant and understanding the unique educational opportunities available at each school is essential to the placement process."

After attending Indian Mountain School and Salisbury School, he earned a degree from Allegheny College and is currently completing his MLS at Wesleyan University. Chris and his wife Leslie, who teaches at the Fay School, live in the greater Boston area with their 4-year-old daughter Mia.