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!

Learn More About Ashley Hall’s Head of School

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 pleased to announce the appointment of Naa-Adei Kotey as Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning beginning July 2022. Naa-Adei is stepping into a role being vacated by Carolyn Newton, who is moving away from Charleston later this year. A member of the School’s leadership team, the Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning oversees the area of academic programming for EEC through twelfth grade as well as the recruitment and inspiration of a highly qualified and committed teaching staff including their professional development. 

Naa-Adei joins Ashley Hall from St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore, Maryland where she currently serves as Academic Dean. A graduate of Smith College, she also holds an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Virginia, has served as a writing fellow at Georgetown University and as a poetry fellow at the Harvard NEH Summer Seminar for Teachers, and holds a position on the board of One Schoolhouse, an educational organization with whom Ashley Hall partners for professional development and online courses for Upper School students. 

“I am thrilled and excited to become a member of the Ashley Hall administrative team. As I toured the campus and met the people who form the beating heart of this incredible school, I realized that balanced with the pursuit of academic excellence for students and faculty alike, was a deep commitment to the whole person,” shared Naa-Adei. 

Head of School Jill Muti adds, “In addition to her rich experience teaching English and leading rigorous academic programs from middle school through the university level, Naa-Adei is also committed to the power of a single gender education, and is active within the national independent school community. She impressed every member of our campus community during her visit with her energy, warmth, and intellect.” 

We look forward to welcoming Naa-Adei Kotey to the Ashley Hall family. 

Ashley Hall School Announces Departure of Head of School Jill Muti in June 2022: Longstanding Leader of South Carolina’s Only Independent Girls’ School Leaves a Legacy of Accomplishments

Charleston, SC, December 15 — Ashley Hall announced today that Jill Muti, the Head of School, will leave her position on June 30, 2022. The Ashley Hall Board of Trustees will launch a national search for new leadership to build upon Muti’s nearly two decades of accomplishments that have ensured the 112-year institution’s place as a preeminent school for girls in the region and the nation. It is expected that a new Head of School will assume the role on July 1, 2023. 

“Jill Muti has made an indelible impact on Ashley Hall’s stature and reputation for building self-reliant, independent thinking, and confident young women at every stage of their development. Today we enjoy record-high enrollment, deep community relationships, and an outstanding and loyal faculty and parent community whose devotion to our children is matchless. Jill will be forever part of Ashley Hall and we wish her all the best,” said Anne Frances Bleecker, Chair of the Ashley Hall Board of Trustees.

Muti, who has accepted the position of Head of School at the prestigious St. Stephen’s School, an American day and boarding International Baccalaureate World School located in Rome, Italy, said, “It has been an honor to serve the Ashley Hall community for 18 years. Together with our Board, faculty, alumnae, and students, we have created an authentic learning environment that honors Ashley Hall’s enduring mission and hallmarks. The important work of preparing girls to meet the challenges of the 21st century with confidence has driven all that we have accomplished at Ashley Hall. I embark on the next phase of my career filled with gratitude.”

Among Muti’s signature achievements at Ashley Hall are:

• Engineering the Ashley Hall Learning Spiral, a comprehensive curricular approach to education that features an intentional pattern of incremental learning from pre-primary students to seniors that serves the intellectual, emotional, and physical needs of each student in every phase of development.
• Reimagining the school’s faculty professional development program to create an institution of continuous intellectual pursuit and academic growth, benefiting faculty and students alike.
• Establishing a school-wide focus on whole-child development, with a comprehensive health and wellness program and specialized learning environments for early adolescents: the Intermediate Program for 5th and 6th graders and the Nautilus Program for 7th and 8th graders.
• Implementing a Global Studies Program that focuses on foreign language immersion and acquisition and international travel opportunities.
• Fostering a student leadership program emphasizing responsibility and real-world experiences, including a Junior Internship experience and a Senior Projects initiative linked to community action.
• Leading the renovation and expansion of Ashley Hall’s 10-acre urban campus including the preservation of two historic properties transformed into 21st century learning environments.      
• Creating community partnerships with Charleston area non-profits such as the Medical University of South Carolina, Gibbes Museum, and Horizons, South Carolina’s first tuition-free summer educational and enrichment program to advance educational equity.
• Championing a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging commitment essential to achieving educational and academic excellence.

Dr. Anne Thornhill Weston ‘73, currently Assistant Head of School and Director of Upper School, will serve as Interim Head of School. A seasoned administrator and alumna, she will lend her experience and knowledge of the school to guiding the community through a smooth and successful transition. Dr. Weston joined Ashley Hall in July 2015 after a succession of leadership roles at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, SC, including as teacher, Intermediate School and Upper School Principal, Assistant Head, Director of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Provost and Interim Head of School. With a Bachelor’s Degree from Duke University and a Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in Biology and a Doctorate in Health Promotion and Education both from the University of South Carolina, she has worked together with her colleagues on important curricular improvements and the strengthening of vital wellness programs in Ashley Hall’s Upper School, while celebrating with them an expanding record of student scholarship and college placements.

“Today, generations of distinguished Ashley Hall alumnae are making their mark on the world. The next six months will be a time of celebrating the innumerable ways Jill Muti has enriched our community, and looking forward to the next era of this extraordinary school that will fuel the pipeline of leaders for years to come,” Bleecker said.