About Us

Head of School & Leadership

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 FacultyOur outstanding teachers know each of our students as individuals and guide as well as instruct them in discovery and exploration.
  • Joyful LearningOur 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 SubjectIn 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.
  • CampusOur 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 CenterEach 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.
For a virtual tour of our program and campus, I invite you to explore a set of interactive pages that showcase Shady Hill. The combination of videos, interviews, and classroom highlights will give you an inside view of what we value and cherish as a school and as a community. To access the tour, click here.
 
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

List of 3 items.

  • + Mark on the Lighthouse Counsel Podcast

  • + MARK SPEAKS ON SHADY HILL

  • + 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)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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  • + THE TRUSTEES

    Alyssa Haywoode, Chair
    Jeita Deng '94, Treasurer & Finance Chair
    Kate Sutliff, Clerk
    Holly Ambler '80
    Lisa Case
    Zara Cooper
    Sasha Eskelund, Co-Chair, Parents' Council
    Angela Garcia
    Kafi Harrington
    Katherine Hesko, TTC '08
    Lidiane Jones
    Ted Killory
    Devereaux McClatchey
    Melissa McGaughey
    Matt Ogden
    Satu Parikh
    Kim Henry Quagliaroli
    Francine Rosenzweig
    Sally Snickenberger
    Mark Stanek, Head of School
    Sarah Wasserman
    Pratt Wiley, '91
     
     
    By Invitation
    Maureen Nunez, Dr. Daryl Wright, Dr. Laniesha Gray, Betsy Ginsberg
  • + 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.

ADMINISTRATION

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  • + MEET THE ADMINISTRATION

    Mark Stanek
    Head of School
     
    Chia-Chee Chiu
    Middle School (V-VIII) Head
     
    Cindy Dobe
    Chief Information Officer
     
    Betsy Ginsberg
    Director of Development and Alumni Relations
     
    Dr. Laniesha Gray
    Director of Equity & Inclusion
     
    Maureen Nunez
    Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer
     
    Dr. Leesa Mercedes
    Lower School Head
     
    Michele Snyder
    Director of Marketing and Communications
     
    Sarah Wooten
    Director of Enrollment Management
     
    Dr. Daryl Wright
    Assistant Head of School
617.520.5260      178 Coolidge Hill  Cambridge MA 02138           Association of Independent Schools in New England