As we approach the end of the calendar year—and look ahead to a well-earned holiday break—it feels especially fitting to pause and reflect on the many moments that have made this semester so special. Across our campus, classrooms, studios, stages, athletic fields, and gathering spaces have been alive with creativity, collaboration, and connection.

This calendar-year-end snapshot offers a glimpse of just some of the powerful learning and community-building happening at Ashley Hall across all divisions. We hope you feel as proud and inspired by these highlights as we do when we witness them each day.

Early School: Inquiry in Action

Our Early School educators continue to shine as leaders in constructivist, child-centered learning. This fall, several teachers participated in national workshops and conferences—and three even presented at the Association for Constructivist Teaching Conference, a remarkable honor for any early childhood program. Faculty are also working closely with Italian pedagogista Tiziana Filippi to deepen their understanding of the Reggio approach, helping refine the ways they document children’s thinking and inquiry. And with fall explorations and festive family events, our youngest learners have welcomed parents into the process, creating meaningful home–school connections.

Lower School: Innovation and Joyful Learning

Lower School faculty have embarked on an exciting journey to strengthen language arts instruction, piloting the Arts and Letters curriculum in third grade. Seeing students so deeply engaged—one even declaring, “You know what I love? I love this school!”—has affirmed the team’s dedication to thoughtful curriculum design. Grade-level teams are now preparing to bring the curriculum to all Lower School classrooms next year, supported by ongoing professional learning. Another standout moment this semester: VIP Days, where students shared culminating project work with special guests. These celebrations showcased authentic learning and highlighted the joy of connection.

Middle School: Community, Service, and Leadership

Middle School students have been building their leadership muscles through community engagement. The seventh- and eighth-grade student councils helped design a meaningful Impact Assembly, inviting students to reflect on how they contribute to their school and local communities. This spirit extended into the holiday season through Branches of Joy, a project in which students crafted miniature Christmas trees for children spending the holidays at MUSC Children’s Hospital. Supported by advisors, the project was a beautiful example of IB service learning in action. A student-led bake sale rounded out the effort, making the hallways buzz with generosity and teamwork.

Upper School: Curiosity, Challenge, and Global Perspectives

Upper School faculty have been hard at work imagining the future of Ashley Hall as the division continues its shift toward becoming an IB school. This fall, teams of educators visited seven peer schools across the country—gathering inspiration, best practices, and bold ideas to bring back to Charleston. Ninth graders also enjoyed the Freshman Flip, a hands-on introduction to life in the Upper School designed by a dedicated group of teachers. Meanwhile, 30 students participated in a dynamic Model United Nations experience, representing countries from across the globe at a 475-person conference. The trip was so impactful that a second MUN experience at Duke University is already in the works for the spring.

Athletics: Record-Setting Momentum

Ashley Hall Athletics is closing out the semester with tremendous energy. Our Sailing Team, now the largest in school history, is posting strong results across the Southeast, while our Equestrian Team continues to collect top-three finishes early in the season. Varsity Basketball, led by first-year coach Bryan Bednar, looks sharp heading into a slate of holiday tournaments, and our Archery Team—now our biggest athletic team—saw 14 of 26 members achieve new personal records at their most recent tournament. With strength and conditioning underway for spring sports, it’s shaping up to be an exciting year across all teams.

Arts: Creativity That Connects

The Performing Arts Department has welcomed families into studios and rehearsal spaces this fall, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the craft and discipline of theater, dance, and strings. Highlights include:

– Parent demonstrations across the arts

– Red Choir and Honors Red Choir performing at Franke at Seaside Retirement Community

– Four orchestra students selected for Region Orchestra, performing with top musicians from across the region

And of course, this season marked the 101st year of the Christmas Play, a beloved Ashley Hall tradition brought to life through the dedication and artistry of our student performers, faculty, and volunteers.

Admission: Welcoming the Next “Purple & White” Generation

The Admission team has already welcomed 90 families for campus tours and hosted 20 student visits, setting a strong tone for the season ahead. From the Freshman Flip to special retention events, their energy is helping new and returning families feel connected and excited about life at Ashley Hall.

Operations & Health Center: Caring for Campus and Community

Behind the scenes, our Operations Team has been hard at work: from completing the McBee House elevator renovation (just in time for the Alumnae Holiday Party!) to making progress on roofing, HVAC upgrades, and stormwater improvements. Our incredible school nurses have also navigated the semester with extraordinary grace, maintaining a warm and steady presence for our community. We look forward to welcoming Lauren Fogelgren as our new Director of Health Services in January.

A Community Rooted in Pride and Purpose

This semester has been filled with growth, achievement, creativity, and connection—and we are deeply grateful to the educators, staff, students, and families who make this community so vibrant. As we approach winter break, we hope you feel as much pride as we do in all we have accomplished together.

Here’s to a restful holiday season and the exciting months ahead!