The Lion King Jr. Saturday, March 22, at 2:00 p.m.* Sold Out!
Saturday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8 students | $10 adults
The Lion King has captivated audiences worldwide, and now its beloved characters and music come to Davies Auditorium for three unforgettable performances. Perfect for Ashley Hall students of all ages, The Lion King Jr. celebrates courage, resilience, and the spirit of leadership. Get your tickets today!
*Following the 2:00 p.m. matinee, join cast members for a post-performance meet and greet!
Artwork by Sallie Dollens ’26
Celebrating Leadership: The Black Student Union’s Impactful Black History Month at Ashley Hall
At Ashley Hall, the Black Student Union (BSU) led a powerful and thought-provoking Black History Month experience, demonstrating the impact of student leadership and the importance of amplifying diverse voices. Through strategic planning and a commitment to meaningful dialogue, the BSU curated a dynamic series of events, including two engaging speaker panels featuring accomplished Black professionals. These discussions gave students invaluable insights into perseverance and the power of representation. By spearheading these efforts, the BSU not only honored Black history and culture but also fostered an environment of learning, reflection, and empowerment within the school community.
As a student-driven affinity group, the BSU fosters dialogue and cultural awareness year-round. Their leadership in shaping this year’s Black History Month celebrations brought fresh perspectives to campus, offering students an opportunity to engage with real-world experiences of adversity and triumph.
On February 7, an impressive all-female panel was invited to speak to Upper School students, marking the first of two discussions. The speakers shared journeys of perseverance, leadership, and innovation, inspiring students to embrace resilience in the face of challenges. Their diverse backgrounds in education, research, technology, and advocacy offered valuable perspectives on navigating adversity and making meaningful contributions to their communities.
Dr. Tamara Butler, Executive Director of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, is a dedicated scholar and advocate for cultural preservation, blending her expertise in education and African American studies to uplift historical narratives. Ms. Michelle Simmons, Chief Academic Officer for Charleston County School District, has dedicated nearly three decades to shaping academic excellence and ensuring students receive the support they need to thrive. Ms. Courtney Waters, Executive Director of Teach For America SC and former Charleston County School Board Vice-Chair, continues her mission to transform South Carolina’s education system with urgency and equity in mind. Finally, Ms. Tanqueray Edwards, a leader in AI adoption and business innovation, shared her story of resilience and determination, illustrating the power of technology and strategic leadership in shaping the future. Together, these women exemplified strength, purpose, and the importance of empowering the next generation.
The second panel, held on February 20, featured another inspiring group of professionals who shared their experiences of success in their respective fields. Pars Edwards, a seasoned financial services professional with over two decades of experience, emphasized the importance of strategic financial planning and relationship-building in helping clients reach their goals. Ms. D’Anna Frasier, an educator and counselor, spoke about her journey from teaching to counseling, highlighting her passion for guiding students toward better decision-making and future success. A dedicated mother and active community member, she continues to balance her career with service. Mrs. Deronda Washington, who serves as the Senior Associate Director of Student Leadership and Fraternity and Sorority Life at the College of Charleston, shared her experiences mentoring and shaping student leaders and spoke about how she takes pride in helping students grow into their full potential. Similarly, Mrs. Shavon Harris, a senior leader in technical program management, discussed her extensive experience in software testing, process improvement, and IT services. As an advocate for STEM education, she actively supports robotics programs and serves as chapter president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Each panelist provided valuable insights into the impact of mentorship and making meaningful connections, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
Beyond Black History Month, the BSU’s work continues year-round as they strive to promote awareness and inclusivity on campus. Through ongoing programming, discussions, and mentorship initiatives, they ensure that celebrating Black excellence and the conversation around belonging remains an integral part of the Ashley Hall experience. Their dedication to amplifying diverse voices and fostering an inclusive culture underscores the lasting impact of student-led advocacy and celebration.
Following three years of dedication and hard work from our incredible Lower School faculty and staff, and with the support of our students and families, we are proud to announce that Ashley Hall is now an authorized IB World School for the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate. We look forward to focusing our efforts on developing the IB learner profile attributes with our students, along with the habits of heart and mind that predict success in our rapidly changing global world. Becoming an IB World School will further distinguish Ashley Hall as a place of educational excellence and provide a framework for maintaining that excellence across all divisions.
What is the IB, and what does PYP mean?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a globally recognized and respected educational framework, designed to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, confident and caring learners who are empowered to take ownership in their own education. The goal of the IB is to develop students who are ready to take on this ever-changing world, who understand the role they play in it, and who have a set of future-ready skills that enable them to meet the challenges of modern life. If that sounds familiar, that’s because it is; the core IB values are very closely aligned with the mission of Ashley Hall, which is to educate girls and young women to be independent, ethically responsible, and prepared to meet the challenges of their world with confidence.
The IB Primary Years Programme, or PYP, is geared toward Lower School-aged students and is the foundation of an inquiry-based, student-centered approach to education. It made sense to pursue the PYP designation first as we continue building on each IB programme — becoming a fully authorized IB World School. Our Lower School students are already experiencing the benefits of the PYP framework today, and we encourage you to visit the LoDome to take in some of the incredible learning we’re seeing every day.
Why did Ashley Hall pursue this designation?
The IB provides us with a framework—a way to organize the excellent education we’re already providing our students and, most importantly, a way to maintain consistency across subjects, divisions, and the entire school. It’s essential that our students learn to apply the same set of critical thinking skills across all disciplines and understand that asking questions, discussion, practice, and failure are part of the learning process in all areas. PYP learners are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, working directly with their teachers to gain confidence and deepen their understanding of the subjects they’re engaging with. This collaboration leads to higher confidence and self-motivation, helping to create self-regulated and efficient learners. An IB school has a reputation for academic rigor and also places an emphasis on preparing students for a globalized world with the human skills they’ll need in life: empathy, critical thinking, and a love for learning.
What does it mean for our students and families?
You won’t notice much change overnight because the IB PYP framework closely aligns with how we already teach our Lower School students. You will notice that your children might ask more questions, wonder aloud, and make connections. We encourage you to lean into those conversations, help them explore, and encourage connection-making. Lower School parents will see new formats in our Report Card structure to align more closely with the IB learner profile’s 10 attributes which align with twenty-first-century learning skills, including creativity, collaboration, and curiosity.
Where do we go from here?
Our dedicated staff and faculty are engaged in the early stages of pursuing authorization in the Middle Years Programme for our Middle School students. We’ll share more on that as the timeline evolves, but we hope you’ll join in our excitement to explore how this new framework will benefit our students. Ultimately, we look forward to pursuing our accreditation as an IB World School, offering both an Ashley Hall diploma upon graduation and the option for an IB diploma as well.
We invite you to dig deeper into the IB PYP by engaging with the following resources:
Ashley Hall is pleased to announce it has received a 2024 Silver InspirED School Marketers™ Brilliance Award for its 2024 Loyalty Fund video, “This is Where it All Begins.” This award is part of the only international competition that honors excellence in marketing and communications for private and independent schools.
The entries were evaluated by a volunteer panel of 72 marketing experts from across the globe, all professionals in private schools or businesses focusing on private school marketing. They were assessed on originality, persuasiveness, copy/script/dialog, visual elements, execution, and overall appeal.
The Loyalty Fund is Ashley Hall’s annual giving program. The program’s marketing campaign traditionally features a video showcasing unique storytelling and visuals explaining why financially supporting the School is essential. Of this year’s video, one judge noted, “I watched this video a couple of times, and each time, CHILLS! Its simple and brief message powerfully and clearly answers the question “Why Give?” with emotionally evocative music, videography, and language. It’s one of the best annual giving videos I’ve seen.”
To view the 2024 InspirED Brilliance Awards winners, click here.
InspirED School Marketers is a community that offers “brilliant ideas and brain food” for private school administrators globally.
The Annual Ashley Hall Oyster Roast
Friday, January 31, 2025 | 7–9:00 p.m.
Ashley Hall Sports Court
(Please enter the event via the Smith Street Gate.)
This adult-only event is open to the Charleston community, so bring your friends. We look forward to seeing you there!
Tickets are $60 when purchased online by Thursday, January 30.
Tickets are $45 for young Ashley Hall alumnae, Classes 2010–2020, when purchased online by Thursday, January 30.
Tickets are $65 when purchased the evening of the event.
The 2024 Ashley Hall Christmas Play
From trimming the tree to baking cookies, holiday traditions powerfully unite us during this special season. At Ashley Hall, our school family’s most cherished (and long-standing) tradition is the annual Christmas Play. On Dec. 12, 2024, 160 Ashley Hall students of all ages gathered in the historic and ethereal St. Matthew’s Church to perform this beloved production for the 100th time.
First presented in 1924 under the direction of school founder Mary Vardrine McBee, Ashley Hall’s annual Christmas Play has brought the medieval Chester Mystery Plays to life with our student’s creativity, passion, and artistic excellence.
From the dancing jesters to the angelic Red Choir, this beautiful retelling of the Nativity story has remained a cornerstone of the Ashley Hall experience for generations of students, families, alumnae, faculty, and the greater Charleston community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable evening. Your support makes this timeless tradition possible. And, of course, bravo to our hard-working students who shone brightly on and off stage. We’re grateful to have shared this special moment with all who could join us.
Relive the Centennial Performance of The Christmas Play
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.
Ashley Hall is pleased to announce it has received a 2024 Silver InspirED School Marketers™ Brilliance Award for its 2024 Loyalty Fund video, “This is Where it All Begins.” This award is part of the only international competition that honors excellence in marketing and communications for private and independent schools.
