The Horizons program began in 1964 as a grassroots effort on the campus of one independent school in Connecticut, where educators saw an opportunity to turn unused summer classroom space into something powerful: a place to advance educational equity through continued learning and growth throughout the summer months. What started with just a handful of students there has since grown into a national network of over 70 programs across the country, all united by a shared mission to foster a lifelong love of learning. Today, Horizons programs serve thousands of students annually, offering a proven path to closing opportunity gaps and preparing children to succeed in school and beyond.
Horizons at Ashley Hall began in 2018 as part of the school’s commitment to empowering girls and fostering educational equity. The program offers a six-week, tuition-free academic and enrichment program each summer to girls from the Charleston area. The program is built on a long-term commitment: once a student enters as a first grader, the goal is that she will return each summer through 8th grade, developing strong relationships, academic skills, and a deep love of learning along the way.
Hosted on the Ashley Hall campus each summer, the program brings together students and educators from the Charleston community, as well as Ashley Hall faculty and student volunteers, to provide a safe and inspiring environment for girls to learn, grow, and explore. It blends academic instruction in literacy and math with enrichment activities such as swimming, art, dance, and field trips, ensuring that summer is not a time of learning loss, but one of growth and possibility. “These girls come back summer after summer, returning to a place where they feel seen, supported, and deeply connected,” shared Horizons at Ashley Hall Executive Director Molly Rathbone. “It’s a joy to witness the lasting relationships that have formed over the years, with such a strong sense of community between the teachers and students.”
The structure of the Horizons program is grounded in research-based best practices that demonstrate consistent, long-term engagement dramatically improves educational outcomes. By working with students year after year, Horizons builds confidence and academic growth. Students not only maintain their skills over the summer, but they also return to school in the fall ahead of where they left off. Small class sizes, individualized instruction, and a joyful learning environment all contribute to making this possible.
As Horizons at Ashley Hall celebrates close to a decade of impact, its results speak for themselves: girls who begin the program in the first grade are growing into confident, capable young women ready to thrive in high school and beyond. This summer, Horizons at Ashley Hall celebrated a special milestone: the first class of students who joined the program in first grade in 2018 graduated from the program on July 24, and are headed for high school. It was an emotional day, one full of pride and excitement for what comes next. When asked if she planned to return as a Horizons Assistant Teacher (or a HAT, as they’re known), eighth grade graduate, Aniya, responded with a resounding yes and a huge smile. “It was always the plan to be a HAT,” she said.
The program is not just a summer initiative—it is a long-term investment in the future of our young people, and a shining example of what can happen when a community commits to equity, education, and opportunity for all.
The Upper School Writing Center is a hub of creativity, collaboration, and leadership at Ashley Hall. In less than two years, what began as a small initiative with just two teachers and seven students has transformed into a dynamic, student-led operation with all-day availability and a team of 17 peer consultants. The Writing Center now stands as a model for innovative academic support, embodying the School’s goal of cultivating confident, capable leaders.
“This team of students is a powerhouse of creativity, discipline, and curiosity, and they embrace risk-taking and challenges of all sorts. They have been model leaders in the Ashley Hall Writing Center since its inception last year; now, they can share their findings and strategies nationally.”
– Chris Hughes, Upper School Librarian
The Writing Center’s remarkable growth has been driven by student leadership from the very beginning. While three faculty members provide valuable support, the students run the show, spearheading initiatives, building community partnerships, and ensuring the Center remains a dynamic, student-centered space. The Center’s leadership team includes:
Charlotte Torrez ’25, Director of Logistics Miya Brown ’25, Director of Teaching Assistants Sadie Cowan ’25 and Clara Kirchner ’26, Directors of Development Grace Taylor ’26 and Gemma Williams ’26, Directors of Marketing Callie Richards ’25, Director of Communications
Director of Logistics, Torrez, led the facilitation of projects like a Calendly-based scheduling system, an informative website, and a dedicated email contact point, which became operational realities this year. These tools made the Writing Center more accessible and broadened its reach across campus.
In her role, Brown was excited to help shape the Center’s classroom integration efforts. She shared, “I’ve always gravitated toward the humanities, so when I was asked to join the Writing Center—to surround myself with other students who share my love of writing—it was a no-brainer.”
As Director of Communications, Richards ensured that every meeting and initiative was communicated clearly and effectively, and for her, the Writing Center’s impact goes beyond academic support. “The Center is such a vital part of our School because it provides a place of support and fellowship for all students,” she said, “I loved being able to see how creative our younger students are, and to support them in finding sources or transitions or new techniques.”
Cowan, who co-Directed Development, emphasized the community spirit that anchors their work: “The future of the Writing Center is something I think we are all excited for, even if we will not be there to see it. We all agree that the girls involved in this project are some of the most passionate, intelligent, and motivated people who truly strive for greatness. They are dedicated to helping their peers and helping each other, so I can only imagine what’s to come for the Writing Center.”
The leadership of Torrez, Brown, Cowan, and Richards has redefined what it means to run a Writing Center. Their combined efforts have built a space that fosters confidence, creativity, and community—a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of students at Ashley Hall. “I’m so glad I was able to be a part of this supportive community this past year,” shared Richards. “I’ve loved seeing younger girls find joy in completing their first research projects or excelling in their final essays.”
* This article appeared in the 2025 issue of Perspectives magazine. To read the issue in full, please click here.
During the 2024-25 school year, Ashley Hall focused on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) #3: Good Health and Well-Being. Students engaged in meaningful discussions and initiatives around physical and mental health, access to health care, and global well-being. This emphasis allowed our community to explore health from multiple angles, incorporating science, humanities, service, and wellness into a broader understanding of living a healthy life. We are excited to expand our approach as we look ahead to the 2025-26 school year and the program’s fifth anniversary. Rather than centering on a single goal, Ashley Hall will take a holistic perspective on the UNSDGs, integrating multiple goals into school programming to deepen connections and opportunities for student engagement.
A Broader Approach to the UNSDGs
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals consist of 17 interconnected objectives designed to address global challenges such as poverty, climate change, gender equality, and quality education. By introducing the complete framework in a broad and integrated way, Ashley Hall will provide students with a more comprehensive view of global sustainability and the many ways they can contribute to meaningful change. Through this expanded approach, we will encourage students to explore connections between different goals, understanding how progress in one area—such as health (Goal #3)—is deeply linked to others, like clean water and sanitation (Goal #6) or responsible consumption (Goal #12) continuing our trend of deepening connections across studies and areas of learning and building on the Ashley Hall global perspective. Ashley Hall Community Partnerships and Global Education Coordinator Tylery Moseley is looking forward to the wider angle: “I’m excited for students to have access to more connection-making opportunities as they explore the goals as a whole program. I think shifting our approach to open up conversations about all UNSDGs will allow us to dig deeper into our adoption of the program and make it more accessible. The opportunities are endless; I can’t wait to see where the girls decide to take this project in the coming years and where they focus their energies.”
Expanding Opportunities for Engagement
With this shift, Ashley Hall will work to incorporate multiple UNSDGs into a wide range of programs, ensuring that more students, faculty, and community members can engage with sustainability efforts in diverse ways. This could include:
Academic Integration: Encouraging cross-disciplinary learning that ties curriculum topics to different UNSDGs.
Service Learning & Community Partnerships: Expanding local community outreach efforts to align with a broader range of sustainability goals.
Student-Led Initiatives: Providing opportunities for students to take ownership of projects that align with their interests and specific UNSDGs.
School-Wide Events & Conversations: Hosting discussions, workshops, and activities introducing all 17 goals and their relevance to our daily lives across all school divisions.
New Leadership Opportunities: providing leadership roles for students of all ages to engage with eachother through the UNSDG initiative.
Looking Ahead
By broadening our focus beyond a single goal, the School’s aim is to deepen the community’s understanding of global sustainability and foster a greater sense of responsibility and action. The UNSDGs are not just abstract concepts but a roadmap for shaping a better world. By embracing them as a collective framework, Ashley Hall students will be empowered to explore, innovate, and lead with purpose. As we embark on this new approach, we look forward to seeing how students, faculty, and families engage with these global challenges in ways that are meaningful, inspiring, and impactful.
*This article appears in the 2025 issue of Perspectives magazine. To read the issue in full, please click here.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Margaret MacDonald, who led Ashley Hall as Headmistress from 1985 to 2004. MacDonald passed away on July 7 at the age of 86. Her extraordinary legacy lives on in the lives of the countless students, faculty, and families she inspired.
“Margaret MacDonald was a truly inspirational leader for Ashley Hall throughout her tenure, deeply devoted to girls and young women as individuals and as students,” said Anne T. Weston ’73, current Head of School. “Principled, compassionate, funny, and a community servant, Margaret modeled the school’s mission daily and left an important legacy that inspired the community she led.”
MacDonald’s passion for all-girls education was evident in every step of her career. In addition to her work with the College Board and the Chicago Tribune, she served in leadership roles at the Ellis School in Pennsylvania and the Lincoln School in Rhode Island before accepting the headmistress role at Ashley Hall in Charleston, South Carolina—a position she would hold for 19 years.
During her tenure, MacDonald raised academic standards, expanded financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and implemented Ashley Hall’s first master plan. She added an admissions department, an aquatics program, and introduced teaching excellence awards, all while expanding the physical footprint of the school. Her vision helped shape Ashley Hall into the thriving institution it is today.
In recognition of her impact, MacDonald was honored in 2014 with the Converse 125 Award as a distinguished alumna.
We are deeply grateful for her leadership and will continue to honor her spirit in the work we do every day.
Ashley Hall is thrilled to announce that our beloved Early School Outdoor Classroom has officially been recognized as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom! This distinguished recognition is a reflection of the heartfelt commitment, creativity, and intentional collaboration of our Early School educators, families, and community who brought this vision to life.
This milestone marks a journey that began in October 2022, when Early School Director Diane Fletcher invited Nature Explore—a nationally recognized nonprofit organization committed to creating dynamic, nature-rich outdoor learning spaces—to help envision and design a comprehensive plan for our outdoor classroom. Through thoughtful collaboration, our team brought this vision to life, aligning it with the tenets of the Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum that informs our educational philosophy.
To receive certification, outdoor classrooms must feature a range of defined, purposefully designed areas that foster open-ended exploration and meaningful connections to nature. With great pride, Ashley Hall’s Outdoor Classroom now stands as only the second certified Nature Explore Classroom in the state of South Carolina.
Our Outdoor Classroom is a playground first and foremost, but it’s also a living, breathing extension of the indoor learning experience. It is a space where children can move their bodies freely, develop a relationship with the natural world, and cultivate the habits of flexible thinking, observation, and curiosity that are foundational for lifelong learning.
From the climbing area to the pollinator garden, and the mud kitchen to the open-air gathering spaces, each area has been intentionally designed to nurture children’s innate sense of wonder. Our unique names for these spaces reflect the whimsical spirit and child-centered approach we cherish:
Paw’s Arbor – Entryway
Willow Cave – Gathering Area
Twist & Sing – Music and Movement
Outdoor Atelier – Nature Art
Pathway Through the Plants – Pollinator Garden
Large Loose Parts – Messy Materials
Dig & Discover – Dirt Digging and Mud Kitchen
Road 1909 – Wheeled Track
The Green Hills – Open-Air Discovery
Climbing Area – Play Structure
Building & Construction – Blocks
The Estuary – Water Area
Swings – Forces and Motion
This achievement would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of our Early School educators. From designing engaging outdoor experiences to fostering a sense of awe and connection with nature for our students, their passion has been the cornerstone of this journey. We extend our deepest gratitude for their belief in the value of outdoor learning and for the countless ways they bring this philosophy to life each day.
Equally important is the partnership of our parent community. Parents have played a pivotal role—not only in volunteering and supporting gardening initiatives—but also in helping develop the classroom’s vibrant and purposeful signage. These signs aren’t just visual markers; they serve as tools for literacy, engagement, and exploration. Crafted with the children’s own words and illustrations, the signs represent a celebration of place, identity, and shared creativity.
To our educators, families, and students—thank you. Your vision, dedication, and love have made this milestone possible. May this recognition serve as a testament to the beauty of what we can achieve when we dream, design, and grow together.
Ashley Hall students continue to distinguish themselves on the stage and in the studio, earning recognition at the local, state, and even national level for their remarkable musical talents. Whether composing original works, performing in elite ensembles, or receiving prestigious certifications, our students are rising stars in the world of music—and they’re doing it with grace, dedication, and heart.
Music lessons are offered as an extracurricular option at Ashley Hall, and the number of students choosing to pursue private instruction is growing. This year, the results speak volumes—not only in accolades but in the passion and discipline our musicians bring to their craft.
All-State Orchestra Honors
After an incredibly competitive audition process, three middle school students earned their place in the South Carolina Music Educators Association 6–8th Grade All-State Orchestra:
Sky Malloy ’28 (cello)
Ruby Ghatnekar ’29 (violin)
Adya Sharma ’29 (cello)
These talented young musicians spent a weekend in Spartanburg rehearsing with top student musicians from across the state, culminating in a powerful full-orchestra performance under the baton of a renowned conductor. Special thanks to their private lesson teachers—Zoe Walker, Aubrey Goio, and Cameron Williams—for helping them prepare for this honor.
Royal Conservatory of Music Recognition
Congratulations to Pearson James ’34, who earned a Royal Conservatory State Certificate of Excellence in piano—an Ashley Hall first! Pearson’s dedication and artistry were celebrated at a Lower School Assembly this year.
Also deserving applause is Beatrice Watson ’31, who received the highest mark in South Carolina for Level 2 Piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Carnegie Hall Appearance
A special bravo to Adya Sharma ’29, who recently performed at Carnegie Hall with the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO). Sharma has been an active CSYO member and string quartet performer, joining the orchestra onstage alongside the College of Charleston Orchestra and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra—an ensemble that includes several of Ashley Hall’s own string faculty members: Ben Weiss (viola), Frances Hsieh (violin), and Maggie Gould (violin).
Charleston Achievement Day Accolades
Seventeen Ashley Hall pianists participated in the Charleston Music Teachers Association’s Achievement Day at Charleston Southern University this March. This event challenges young musicians to showcase their skills in performance, technique, sight reading, and music theory. Ellie Murphy ’32 was named an alternate for her level and recognized in the Honors Recital program. Sriya Banik ’30 received the Crescendo Award and a trophy for consistently high scores. Thanks to our outstanding piano faculty—Anna Brock, Dan McCurry, Jan Smith, and Dr. Sooyun Yun—for their mentorship.
Charleston Achievement Day Participants:
Naomi Grek ’33
Sophie Deupree ’35
Charlotte Deupree ’33
Katie Solomon ’34
Ellie Murphy ’32
Sriya Banik ’30
Jaalah Brown ’26
Lucy David ’28
Ella Donohoe ’31
Annie Donohoe ’33
Emilia Goodwin ’32
Elly Middleton ’33
Madeleine Kopf ’29
Rhetta Lowndes ’31
Sidney James ’36
Pearson James ’34
Suzanne Groat ’27
Composition Competition Triumphs
Our students aren’t just performing—they’re creating. This year saw an impressive sweep across composition contests, from local to international stages.
Highlights include:
Charlotte Deupree ’33, whose original work “Night Waves” won 1st place in the NFMC Junior Composers Contest (South Carolina), Winner in the Southeast Regional round, and Winner of the South Carolina Music Teachers Association Composition Competition (Elementary Solo). She also received Honorable Mention in the International Piano Composition Contest.
Naomi Grek ’33 composed “Bunny Rabbit Hare,” which placed 2nd in the Charleston Sonatina Festival, won in the International Piano Composition Contest, and received Honorable Mention in the Piano Inspires Kids Magazine “Movie Score” Contest.
Eleanor Gilliespie ’35 earned Runner-Up in the SCMTAC Composition Competition (Elementary Solo) for “The Cave.”
Camila Zuniga ’28 was named Runner-Up in the Piano Inspires Kids Magazine “Movie Score” Contest (13–15 age group) for her piece “Mysteries.”
We are incredibly proud of these students—and the dedicated faculty who guide them—for representing Ashley Hall with such talent and determination. Their achievements show just how far music can take you when passion meets opportunity.
Ashley Hall is a K-12 independent school for girls, with a co-ed preschool, committed to a talented and diverse student population. We consider for admission students of any race, color, religion, and national or ethnic origin.