Ashley Hall’s unique global awareness program is centered around an annual school-wide commitment to embracing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This year, the Class of 2023 voted to focus the School’s global education theme on Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
“Every day, our students are encouraged and empowered to become the next generation of leaders,” says Head of School Dr. Anne T. Weston ’73. “Our focus on U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 5 for this year’s theme offers a powerful framework in which to realize this important work across our entire School.”
The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed in 2012 with the purpose of creating a set of global initiatives related to the environmental, political, and economic challenges that we all face throughout the world. A list of seventeen goals was crafted to serve as a blueprint for a better world and includes focus on ending poverty, hunger, inequity, and climate change to name a few. The SDGs are ambitious, yet the U.N. intends to have them met in 2030.
The intent of Goal 5 is to empower all girls and women while reinforcing the crucial role boys and men play in achieving these goals. Gender equality, and with it, gender equity, does not discriminate or diminish one group over the other. Nor does it seek to privilege one group above another. Rather, where equality and equity exist, all thrive.
“We hope the theme and our yearlong celebration of the accomplishments of girls and women in all fields inspires all students to further embrace their Ashley Hall PQV spirit,” says Global Education Coordinator Jonathan Perkins who works with the School’s administration and faculty to support curricular, extracurricular, and travel programs that reinforce the power of having a global perspective.
This year’s campaign also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which has transformed girls’ and women’s educational opportunities, especially participation in the athletic arena. “Some schools celebrate having girls for 50 years,” says Weston. “They deserve credit for realizing that girls bring intelligence, creativity, and stability to their communities. There are other schools like ours who understand that it is truly all about the girls. We’ve been celebrating girls since 1909.”
Programming will consist of classroom instruction, hands-on activities, and opportunities to engage with visiting speakers, with an even greater focus on how to empower girls and women. These will be augmented by community-based and internationally-focused philanthropic activities that are also focused on girls and women.
Last year with heightened attention to global water challenges, and with the School’s campus being located in a flood-prone area, Ashley Hall celebrated “A Year of Water” which paid special attention to water-related SDGs: clean water and sanitation (Goal 6); and life below water (Goal 14). Students will use future school years as an opportunity to continue to explore more SDGs.
Introducing Ashley Hall Head of School Anne T. Weston, PhD ’73
When the gates of Ashley Hall swung open on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, the first day of the new school year, nearly 700 students from the ages of 2-18 were greeted by a new Head of School: Anne T. Weston, PhD ’73. With enrollment for the school at an all-time high and new thought leaders in many areas of administration, the mission of Ashley Hall has never felt more alive.
“Finally, the new school year has arrived. I have to say that as I have walked around campus this week, I am struck by the joy of connection being celebrated and the sense of possibility that is palpable. Our future holds great promise, and I invite all of you to lean into your Ashley Hall experience fully.”
Ashley Hall will begin the 2022-23 school year with a new leader. Dr. Anne Thornhill Weston ’73, former Assistant Head of School and Director of Upper School, officially assumed the role of Head of School on July 1, 2022.
Succeeding Jill Swisher Muti, Dr. Weston is Ashley Hall’s sixth Head of School and the only alumna to hold the position. She takes the School’s helm at a time of record-high enrollment, vital community relationships and an outstanding and loyal faculty and parent body whose dedication is truly matchless. Her strategic priorities include bolstering rich and worthy traditions and forward-thinking innovations alike, including welcoming new senior administrators to advance academics and student life, enhancing the athletic facilities and experience, renovating and expanding best-in-class STEAM programs, and growing the School’s already noteworthy performing arts program.
Along with her exceptional experience as a seasoned educator, Dr. Weston brings to her new role a love of Ashley Hall, talent as a communicator, and positive leadership as a lifelong advocate for women and girls. Here are a few fun facts to know about Dr. Weston:
5 Things to Know About Dr. Weston
1. Dr. Weston began her career at Ashley Hall teaching seventh and eighth grade math and science classes and went on to hold teaching and administrative positions at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, South Carolina before returning home in 2015.
2. She played women’s college basketball for Duke University and was a member of the varsity sailing team.
3. Her grandmother, Ama Van Noy Smith,was in the first class at Ashley Hall, a tradition continued by Dr. Weston, her sister Ama Thornhill Couch ’84, and her first cousin Jane Thornhill Schachte ’70.
4. Whether it’s at sea on a tall ship with Offshore Leadership Program participants or rowing in the Charleston Dragon Boat Festival, Dr. Weston loves a good outdoor adventure with her students.
5. She was captain of the Purple team and was co-First Honor Graduate of the Class of 1973!
Ashley Hall is pleased to announce the appointment of Shannon Reynolds as Assistant Head for Institutional Advancement beginning April 11, 2022. As a member of Ashley Hall’s leadership team, Shannon will work closely with the School’s Board of Trustees in the area of stewardship and donor relations, and manage alumnae engagement. She will also work with the current advancement team to oversee the Loyalty Fund and major giving initiatives.
Shannon comes to Ashley Hall from the New City School in St. Louis where she served as Director of Advancement. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Historic Preservation from University of Mary Washington and a Master of Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia, Shannon parlayed her education into an extensive career in nonprofit management. Prior to New City School, she worked with numerous nonprofit organizations including Humane Society of Missouri, Washington University School of Medicine, Southern College of Optometry, and the American Cancer Society. Having raised nearly $50 million in gifts from corporate and foundation grants and individual donors, Shannon is an accomplished and collaborative fundraiser with experience in all aspects of work in annual, major, planned, and capital campaign giving.
“During her recent visit to campus, Shannon impressed us all with her wealth of experience, independent school fundraising knowledge, energy, and warm personality,” says Head of School Jill Muti. “We look forward to her joining our Ashley Hall family.”
Ashley Hall is pleased to announce that Diane Fletcher will be joining Ashley Hall in July as Director of the Early Education Center. Fletcher is currently the Assistant Director of Early Learning/Pedagogista at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in Southern California. She is an experienced educator with a strong background in the Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy, the engine of Ashley Hall’s renowned early education program. With roots in Atlanta, Fletcher earned her bachelor’s degree and M.ED in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University.
Fletcher brings with her an impressive background which includes Reggio Emilia training. “Her commitment to community, connecting young learners to the world around them both inside and outside the classroom, aligns beautifully with the Ashley Hall spirit,” says Head of School Jill Muti. “We can’t wait for her to join our community of learners.”
In her own words, Fletcher felt an immediate connection when she visited campus. “With a child-like heart, I look forward to joining Ashley Hall,” says Fletcher. “As I set foot on campus, the joyful educators, children, and families which form this vibrant community, rich in history and empowerment of children, resonated.” Now she has her sights set on the future: “I look forward to nurturing the foundation of our youngest children for the 21st century, learning with breadth and depth, making connections in different spheres of experiences. I can’t wait to see the world through the eyes of the Ashley Hall students.”
Ashley Hall is pleased to announce that Cintra Horn will join our community this July as Assistant Head for Student Affairs. Cintra currently serves as the Director of the Middle School at Agnes Irwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She has a wealth of experience in independent schools, both in the US and abroad, and brings to her work a passion for girls’ education and the power of a student-centered learning environment.
Cintra holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Manitoba where she also completed post-baccalaureate work in educational leadership. She also holds a M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Toronto OISE.
In this newly imagined role, Cintra will bring to Ashley Hall her considerable talents in advocating for and representing the voice of students and student life (Early Childhood through twelfth grade) with a focus on student wellness, leadership development, intercultural awareness, emotional intelligence, community responsibility, and growth in Ashley Hall’s Hallmarks.
“I am honored to join Ashely Hall as the Assistant Head of School for Student Affairs. Ashley Hall is renowned for instilling its PQV spirit and its beautiful set of Hallmarks in all students from early childhood through twelfth grade. In collaboration with faculty and students, I am excited to build on the school’s successful history through the lens of community and belonging, “ says Cintra.
Head of School, Jill Muti adds, “During her visit to campus, Cintra charmed us all with her enthusiasm, positive energy, and commitment to the student experience. We look forward to welcoming her to our senior leadership team.”
Ashley Hall is a private school for girls located in Charleston, South Carolina enrolling students in kindergarten-grade 12 with a co-educational pre-k program.
