Ashley Hall

Last week at Ashley Hall, our students had the opportunity to experience something new and meaningful—Student to Student Charleston, a pilot program from the Jewish Federation of Greater Charleston. Through personal stories and hands-on learning, Jewish teens from Charleston-area schools shared what it’s like to grow up Jewish today. From exploring traditions to asking thoughtful questions (and enjoying a few kosher treats!), the experience fostered curiosity, understanding, and connection.

This past Saturday, grade 11 Honors English students crafted and led tours of our historic campus to the Charleston community in collaboration with the Preservation Society of Charleston! The Preservation Society has worked with our students over the past few months in ongoing preservation initiatives, bringing research and oral histories to the classroom. This experience offered a rare behind-the-scenes access to McBee House, Warren House, Elizabeth House, the Shell House, and other distinctive campus features not typically open to the public. These student-led tours offered a beautiful chance to understand our hallowed grounds- connecting the past to the present and future. We are so proud of our students for taking the lead and sharing their knowledge with confidence, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the history that shapes our community. 👏

Giving Day at Ashley Hall is here! Every gift—no matter the size—helps provide the exceptional education, programs, and opportunities that make Ashley Hall so special. Our goal is 250 Loyalty Fund gifts in just 24 hours to unlock an incredible $40,000 for our students and faculty. Let’s come together as a community and show our support. Make your gift below and help us create something extraordinary! 💜✨ https://lnkd.in/e2XqGREV

Authors Carolyn Newton and Dr. Otis W. Pickett recently visited Ashley Hall to present in assembly and join grade 10 and 11 English classes to help launch students’ capstone research projects! Drawing on our English curriculum and its central focus on history and human experience, they showed students how to move beyond dates and “big history” to the granular stories of individuals, modeling how curiosity and careful questioning of sources can reveal the human dimensions of the past. Mrs. Newton, a historical fiction writer whose recent books center on characters in Eastern Europe during World War I and World War II, shared how she researches and imagines the inner lives of her characters. Dr. Pickett, a Clemson University historian, helped students frame Charleston’s local histories within broader national and global contexts, illustrating how moments in our city connect to larger historical patterns. Together, the visiting authors offered the perfect inspiration for students’ own inquiry as they walked them through the kinds of thinking and research that can help them turn their study of history and literature into compelling, evidence-based arguments. Thank you Mrs. Newton and Dr. Pickett for joining us on campus and inspiring our students!

What does it really mean to discover the “Joy of Belonging”? This question brought 45 students from across the Lowcountry to Ashley Hall for the 2026 Belonging Summit—two powerful days dedicated to exploring the beauty and complexity of belonging. Through thought-provoking workshops, meaningful dialogue, and engaging activities led by education professionals, students built connections, challenged perspectives, and learned from one another. And yes, the summit included a dance party that no one will forget. Thank you to the co-planners at Porter-Gaud School and students and educators from Charleston Collegiate School, First Baptist, and Academic Magnet for being part of this experience. We’re already looking forward to next year’s summit!

In today’s always-on world, how we show up online matters just as much as how we show up in person. In episode 3 of ‘We Are Ashley Hall’, we’re exploring digital citizenship and wellness—what it means to navigate technology with intention, responsibility, and care for ourselves and others. Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts or through this link: https://lnkd.in/efSFEdRn. #weareashleyhall

Participating in Charleston’s annual MLK Day Parade, our Ashley Hall students, families, faculty and friends honored the enduring legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 19. It was a meaningful morning rooted in community, purpose, and unity. 💜🤍 #AshleyHall #PQV

What does it really feel like to be an Upper School student at Ashley Hall? In our newest video, you’ll hear directly from the students themselves as they share what drew them here, what challenges and inspires them, and what makes this community feel like home. Their reflections offer an honest look at daily life in the Upper School—inside the classroom and beyond it. From meaningful relationships with teachers to opportunities that encourage confidence, curiosity, and leadership, these voices reflect the heart of the Ashley Hall experience. We invite you to watch, listen, and learn more about what makes our Upper School a place where students are known, supported, and empowered to grow. Thank you to our friends at Thesis Content for helping us create a beautiful video! 🎥

Episode 2 of We Are Ashley Hall, the podcast that celebrates the voices, ideas, and experiences shaping our community, is streaming now! Join us as we explore how global perspectives come to life at Ashley Hall through language learning and academic travel- key experiences that help our students see the world, and themselves, in new ways. Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts or through this link: https://lnkd.in/eFqXZedg #WeAreAshleyHall #podcast #ashleyhall #PQV

We are thrilled to introduce We Are Ashley Hall, a new podcast celebrating the voices, ideas, and experiences that define our community. Our first episode spotlights Ashley Hall and the International Baccalaureate, featuring a thoughtful discussion on global thinking and the power of student-led learning in our classrooms. Tune in to the first episode today wherever you get your podcasts or through this link: https://lnkd.in/e8i35vMM #PQV #ashleyhall #weareashleyhall