About

Our Mission & Leadership

Shady Hill School fosters joyful, active learning informed by multiple perspectives empowering students to be intellectually adventurous and wholeheartedly just.

WE BELIEVE

  • Play and discovery are central to every child's growth and true exploration takes time.

  • The purpose of knowledge is to create meaning, develop understanding, and inspire action.

  • Growing up is a nuanced process and mistakes are catalysts for deeper learning and progress.

  • A strong, interdependent community is the framework for academic confidence and social and emotional health.

  • Practicing genuine kindness towards oneself and others helps build a compassionate world.

  • We have a responsibility-as individuals and as a community-to honor difference, challenge prejudice, and strive for racial and social justice.
Greetings,

Welcome to Shady Hill. Here, we offer children a fundamentally different way of teaching and learning. While there are innumerable ways that Shady Hill profoundly shapes each student’s experience, five dimensions, in particular, stand out to me: 
 
  • Expert, Caring Faculty—Our outstanding teachers know each of our students as individuals and guide as well as instruct them in discovery and exploration.
  • Joyful Learning—Our student-centered approach promotes independent thinking, creativity, and healthy risk-taking while developing an ethical mindset. Older students engage with younger ones, reinforcing their roles as community leaders and contributors.
  • Central Subject—In Grades 3–8, students spend the year studying an overarching topic through literature, geography, writing, and history. Before Grade 3, classes pursue a variety of Thematic Studies, each embracing the Central Subject methodology but in shorter, age-appropriate units.
  • Campus—Our beautiful campus has a small-village feel. Students use its open spaces, natural areas, and wetlands as extended learning spaces as they observe and explore their world.
  • Teacher Training Center—Each year, our renowned program brings 8-10 aspiring teachers to campus. The benefit is two-way. The apprentices train to be progressive educators while our faculty keeps abreast of innovative trends and best practices in education. 
I hope you will be energized by what you read, hear, and see in your exploration of this website and discover what a remarkable learning environment Shady Hill is for children.
 
Mark J. Stanek
Head of School

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  • + Mark on the Lighthouse Counsel Podcast

  • + VIEW MARK'S BIO

    Mark Stanek became Shady Hill's sixth Head of School on July 1, 2010.

    Education
    • B.A. in Mathematics, Hamilton College
    • M.A. in Private School Leadership and Education Administration, Teachers College, Columbia University
    • Recipient of the Klingenstein Scholarship & Rose Scholarship
    Previous Experience
    • Head of School at Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York
    • Middle School Principal at Milton Academy
    • Authored the 2nd edition of The Middle School Handbook for NAIS.
    Board Experience
    • President of Association of Independent Schools of New England (2018 to 2021)
    • CCAE (2018-present)
    • Charles River School (2017 to present)
    • The Heads Network (2012 to 2020)
    • Beacon Academy (2013 to 2016)

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  • + THE TRUSTEES

    Alyssa Haywoode, Chair 
    Jeita Deng ’94, Treasurer & Finance Chair 
    Kate Sutliff, Clerk 
    Sarah Baker
    Lisa Case   
    Zara Cooper
    Sherri Ettinger 
    Kafi Harrington  
    Kim Henry
    Katherine Hesko TTC ’08 
    Lidiane Jones 
    Devereaux McClatchey
    Melissa McGaughey 
    Tamyko Morris
    Matt Ogden 
    Satu Parikh
    Mark Stanek, Head of School 
    Rodrigo Verdi 
    Sarah Wasserman 
    Pratt Wiley, ’91
    Caleb Williams
     
    By Invitation
    Betsy Ginsberg, Director of Development and Alumni Relations  
    Dr. Laniesha Gray, Director of Equity and Inclusion 
    Maureen Nunez, Chief Financial Officer/ Chief  Operating Officer 
    Dr. Daryl Wright, Assistant Head of School

  • + THE STANDING BOARD COMMITTEES

    Advancement
    Audit and Risk Management
    Buildings and Grounds
    Executive
    Finance
    Governance
    Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
    Nominating
    Investment
     
    The Board Chair appoints additional task forces as needed to undertake projects on behalf of the School. The Board is committed to ensuring representation on committees of a broad range of constituents, including trustees, parents/guardians, administrators, faculty, and alumni who possess pertinent skills that advance the Board committee work.

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  • + MEET THE ADMINISTRATION

    Mark Stanek
    Head of School
     
    Cindy Dobe
    Chief Information Officer
     
    Dr. Laniesha Gray
    Director of Equity & Inclusion

    Katherine Hesko
    Lower School (B-IV) Head
     
    Maureen Nunez
    Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer

    Shiva McClellan
    Director of Professional Development and Faculty Support

    Lucy Pellham
    Dean of Strategic Enrollment Management and Financial Aid
     
    Michele Snyder
    Director of Marketing and Communications

    Katherine Taketomo
    Middle School (V-VIII) Head

    Devon Wilson-Hill
    Interim Director of Development and Alumni Relations


617.520.5260      178 Coolidge Hill  Cambridge MA 02138           Association of Independent Schools in New England