Ashley Hall is thrilled to host Dream Day Charleston on Saturday, January 10, 2026, a fun and inspiring STEM workshop presented by DreamGirls Initiative. Designed to spark curiosity and empower the next generation of thinkers and makers, this free one-day event invites girls in 5th through 8th grade to explore the exciting world of science and engineering.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Location: Ashley Hall
Who: Girls in 5th–8th grade
Cost: Free (registration is required)
Registration opens December 1, 2025. Click here to register!
Participants will spend the day engaging in hands-on activities led by women engineers and scientists from a wide range of fields. From creative problem-solving to real-world experiments, students will experience what STEM professionals do every day—while meeting role models who show just how many paths are possible for women in STEM fields.
Event Highlights:
-Interactive STEM workshops led by industry professionals
-Opportunities to connect with inspiring women in engineering and science
-Free giveaways
-A fun, welcoming environment designed to celebrate curiosity
We look forward to welcoming young scientists and engineers to campus for a day of exploration, inspiration, and discovery!
We are proud to share Ashley Hall’s 2024–2025 Impact Report, a celebration of the generosity, vision, and commitment of our community. Inside, you’ll find stories of community involvement, growth, and the many ways your support fuels the Ashley Hall experience.
Click here to explore the full report and see how your investment makes a lasting difference.
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.
The Ashley Hall Spirit Store will be open this summer, providing families with the opportunity to shop for gently used uniform pieces and school merchandise. Check out the summer schedule below and visit us!
Updated Spirit Store Summer Schedule
Wednesday, August 6 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday, August 7 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, August 8 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, August 11 | 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 12 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, August 13 | 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday, August 14 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, August 15 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visitors will sign in at Pardue Hall Reception and will then be directed to the Spirit Store.
Plant With a Purpose Festival
Feed the World. Heal the World. Be the World.
Tuesday, April 22
Ashley Hall is proud to present our Plant With a Purpose Festival on the perfect day of the year—Earth Day! This outdoor event will feature an amazing lineup of environmentally based businesses (many of which are female-owned!) in a farmer’s market setup. (Please see the list below to view our partner list and learn more about their business.) Students and guests are invited to visit each booth for a hands-on education experience and the opportunity to shop for unique eco-friendly items. One of Charleston’s popular food trucks will also be on site Bangin’ Vegan Eats!
EARLY SCHOOL | April 22 is a half-day for Early School Students. Students will be served lunch as normal and must be picked up from classrooms from 11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There is no Extended Day or Carpool for Early School. Please join us for activities, games, and Plant With A Purpose festivities, which will continue
until 2:30 p.m.
LOWER SCHOOL | Guests are invited to join their child at Plant With a Purpose between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Students may leave with their guests after the Festival or return to class. Carpool and Extended Day will be available.
MIDDLE SCHOOL | Guests are invited to join their child for lunch, followed by a visit to the Festival. For grades 5 and 6, lunch begins at 12 p.m.; for grades 7 and 8, it begins at 12:30 p.m. Students may leave with their guests or return to class. Carpool will be held, and Extended Day is available. RSVP here if you plan to join your child for lunch. Thank you.
Plant With a Purpose Partner List | Thank you to all!
(Click on the business to learn more. This list is subject to change.)
Ashley Hall Day of Giving
March 27, 2025
Join the many Ashley Hall families, alumnae, trustees, faculty, and friends as we unite to celebrate our School by supporting the Loyalty Fund on Giving Day 2025! Your generosity fuels each Ashley Hall student’s academic excellence and exceptional learning experiences.
Together, we can make a difference!