Second Century, Here We Come!

Following a glorious year of centennial celebration, Foxcroft School officially launches its second century Saturday when some 50 new students from across the country and around the world join a vibrant student body, extraordinary corps of faculty and staff, and -- for the first time in 25 years -- a new person in charge.

Catherine Smylie McGehee, who will be officially installed as Foxcroft's 10th Head of School on Sept. 26, arrived July 1 and already has infused the girls' boarding and day school with energy, enthusiasm, and an almost-palpable sense of excitement. The faculty is already hard at work preparing for the year, which features a number of academic and technological additions, and returning students arrive Thursday. The "New Girls" who hail from a half dozen states, Washington DC, and seven countries, arrive Saturday.
McGehee, who holds a BA from Vanderbilt University and master's degrees from the College of William & Mary and University of Richmond, comes to Middleburg from St. Catherine’s School, where she served as Director of the Upper School (since 2006), chair of the English Department, and English teacher during her 18 years at the Richmond, VA girls' school. 

She leads a faculty, 80+ percent of whom have advanced degrees and 100 percent of whom are passionate about learning, teaching, and empowering girls to succeed. Dr. Meghen Tuttle, who earned her doctorate at the University of Southern California, joins the School's reknowned STEM faculty, which already boasts a Ph. D in its Science Chair, Dr. Maria Eagen, and six master's degrees. Abigail Rowlands, a graduate of the University of the South, Sewanee, is the newest member of the Foreign Languages Department, which includes native speakers and veteran teachers Esther Sanchez and Arnaud Boulestreau.

McGehee brings a fresh eye to Foxcroft, which was founded 100 years ago by Charlotte Haxall Noland, and will combine the best traditions and practices that have put it at the forefront of girls schools with the outstanding opportunities and innovative approaches necessary to prepare girls for success in college and in life in the 21st century. A number of technology enhancements and additions have already been put in place with more to come.

A frequent presenter at independent school conferences, including the National Coalition of Girls Schools and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, McGehee has lectured at the University of Richmond, where she received the Gibb Family Distinguished Alumni Award earlier this year. 

As director of St. Catherine’s upper school, Cathy recruited, hired, and mentored 42 new faculty members; increased enrollments by 25 percent; and oversaw the development of new curriculum and courses, the adoption of a laptop program for students, and the construction and renovation of three academic buildings.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.