In her tenure as Head of School, which began in 2004, Jill Muti has overseen the transformation of Ashley Hall’s program and facilities strengthening its position as the premier independent girls’ school in the south and one of the top schools in the country. Continuing to elevate Ashley Hall’s stature on the national level, Mrs. Muti was recently nominated to the Board of Trustees of the National Coalition of Girls School, the national advocate for girls’ education and leadership. She also is an active board member of the Headmistresses Association of the East and serves as a council member of the Heads Network, which is dedicated to advancing girls and womens’ leadership in independent schools across the nation. PQV to Mrs. Muti for her leadership and determination to establish Ashley Hall as a national leader in purposeful education for young women.

Since its inception more than one hundred years ago, Ashley Hall has remained steadfast to its founding mission “to produce educated women who are independent, ethically responsible, and prepared to meet the challenges of society with confidence.” This charge is fully realized through the school’s alumnae, in particular seven graduates who entered the Medical University of School Carolina on August 16. “We are thrilled for these young women and would expect nothing less from Ashley Hall alumnae,” says Head of School, Jill Muti. “Contributing to the increase in the number of female physicians in the field of medicine makes us very proud. We wish them all the best and know they will do well.”

Ashley Hall alumnae entering the Medical University of South Carolina include: Emma Kofmehl, Class of 2009, attended the University of Pennsylvania; Nancy Hagood, Class of 2010, attended Georgetown University; Jamie Harrell, Class of 2010, attended the College of Charleston; Celeste Jilich and Christina Kearse, both members of the Class of 2010, and both attended of Clemson University; Mira Patel, Class of 2010, attended the College of Charleston; and Patricia Kirkland, Class of 2011, attended Washington and Lee University.

The seven Ashley Hall alumnae make up 4% of this year’s MUSC class of 180. Science and math have received increasing emphasis within the Ashley Hall curriculum with a dedicated and dynamic STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) program beginning in the Lower School. National research (Goodman Research Group) also shows that graduates of girls’ schools are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology.

Did you know girls’ school students are more likely to pursue careers in engineering? Ashley Hall is helping pave the way with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) as an integral part of the Intermediate School curriculum. Our 5th grade girls designed an intelligent irrigation system to keep the campus flower beds in bloom all summer. An arduino micro chip collects data from a soil moisture sensor. When the moisture level drops below 50%, a valve opens which allows water to drain from the rain barrel to the garden via the soaker hose. In art class, the girls decorated the rain barrels and even made the mini Shell House enclosure for the arduino system.