Academics
Academics
Our Approach
When a girl joins The Ellis School community, she joins a remarkable community of learners—girls who are excited about learning and curious about the world, together with outstanding faculty who are not only experts in their subjects but who love teaching.
The rigorous academic program at Ellis provides each girl with a strong foundation in a wide variety of subjects—English, history, mathematics, science, world languages, technology, visual and performing arts—while giving her many opportunities for deeper exploration in the areas in which she is most interested. However, we do not believe rigor and balance are mutually exclusive. Small class sizes mean that every girl is well known by her teachers and classmates, allowing us to create learning experiences with the optimal balance of challenge and support for each girl.
Ellis faculty are second to none and bring a sophisticated understanding of how girls learn most effectively. Within our walls, you will discover an innovative, interdisciplinary, and experiential academic program constructed with girls in mind. This happens by design, in a learning environment where faculty invite students to wrestle with complex real-world challenges.
Empowerment
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And that’s just the beginning.
The real magic happens because of our deep commitment to providing experiences that build a strong sense of self-awareness, empathy, confidence, and leadership in girls.
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Throughout their time at Ellis,
students develop a deep understanding of how they learn best. They also cultivate sophisticated interpersonal skills that foster healthy relationships and empower girls to advocate for themselves. And they develop a fluency in working collaboratively that provides them with ample opportunity to flex their muscles as leaders.
Ellis girls graduate with a palpable passion for life and learning, a strong sense of their own voices, and the resilience and confidence they need to be successful in any future learning or work environment.
Ellis Faculty
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Jenn Moynihan, Head of Middle School
When she moved across the country to start her position as Ellis’ new Middle School Division Head, Jenn Moynihan’s arrival didn’t feel quite that distant. A native of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Ms. Moynihan’s return to the Keystone State came after living in Los Angeles, California, and working at The Archer School for Girls for the past nine years. At Archer, she served as an Upper School English Teacher and then as Dean of Students, witnessing for herself the power of an all-girls education firsthand. -
Brianne Kelly, Middle School Physical Education Teacher
They say you have to see it to be it, and that’s exactly what Brianne Kelly, new Middle School Physical Education Teacher, is doing for Ellis girls. A former Division I athlete, Ms. Kelly is modeling to her students how teamwork and perseverance can take you places both on the court and off. Prior to Ellis, Ms. Kelly spent six years overseas playing professional basketball in Germany, Slovakia, and Italy. She was also a four-year letter winner on Penn State’s women’s basketball team and earned Big Ten Conference honors each year of her collegiate career. Now in her first year of teaching, Ms. Kelly is sharing the lessons she’s learned about being active, committed, and determined through sports with Ellis girls. -
Jack Gaddess, World Languages Department Chair
Whether he’s introducing students to a human rights activist from Argentina or sharing a story about his eventful weekend bike ride, Upper School Spanish Teacher Jack Gaddess never fails to find a way to bring a dose of excitement and fun to his Spanish classroom. An adventurous educator who has led Ellis girls on trips to Spain, Costa Rica, and Mexico, Mr. Gaddess proudly shares his love of the Spanish language and its culture with his students through interactive learning opportunities and experiences. From joining the faculty number in the Upper School musical to blocking and serving in the annual winter volleyball game, Mr. Gaddess brings his unwavering enthusiasm for learning, and having fun while doing so, to Ellis every day. -
Sara Sturdevant, Performing Arts Department Chair
A dynamic and beloved member of the Upper School community for the last two decades, Sara Sturdevant is a teacher that has inspired hundreds of Ellis students with her passion for the arts, and in turn, sparked their creative careers and endeavors after commencement. A stalwart supporter of the performing arts, Ms. Sturdevant has directed, choreographed, staged, and produced hundreds of Ellis productions and performances over the last 23 years. Her commitment to her craft and can-do attitude energizes and ignites students’ independence and individuality on and off stage as they’re pushed to believe in themselves, their abilities, and their potential. Whether she’s teaching a cast how to perfect Fosse jazz hands or leading a discussion from the halls of Carnegie Museum of Art, Ms. Sturdevant’s gusto, charisma, and dedication to the School and her students is evident in everything she does. -
Amy Sidari, English & History Teacher and Grade 5 Dean
Grade 5 Dean and English and History Teacher, Amy Sidari, has been welcoming Ellis girls to the Middle School for the last 17 years. In her classroom, you’ll find her teaching students about the wonders of Greek mythology and ancient civilizations, and holding dynamic discussions on dystopian tales like The Giver and classic coming of age stories like Bridge to Terabithia. An avid reader and bibliophile, Mrs. Sidari brings her lifelong love of literature (her mom owned a bookstore) to not only her students, but the entire Middle School as she leads Ellis’ Battle of the Books challenge. An enthusiastic teacher, Dean, and CrossFitter, Mrs. Sidari shares her favorite book to teach to her students and what she loves most about her job. -
Kassie Wadsworth, Science Teacher
Science Teacher Kassie Wadsworth has brought inquiry and discovery-based learning to Ellis students in the Upper School for the last four years. A University of Pittsburgh alumna who originally planned to become a research scientist, Mrs. Wadsworth integrates her extensive experience from Pitt’s state-of-the-art labs into her biology and anatomy courses so students can garner a meaningful understanding of textbook lessons via active, experiential engagement. This fall, Mrs. Wadsworth’s students will take on their most high-profile and real-world experiment yet as they join the Small World Initiative, an innovative program that crowdsources budding scientists from across the nation to address the diminishing supply of effective antibiotics. -
Macon Finley, Head of School
Macon Finley officially began her tenure as the fifteenth Head of The Ellis School on July 1, 2017. Prior to Ellis, she served as the Assistant Head of School at John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri where she was also the Director of Academics and a Mathematics Teacher. Her recent arrival in Arbuthnot House means not only a new position, community, and culture to assimilate and adapt to—but also a new city. A proud St. Louisan and committed Cardinals fan, Mrs. Finley may not be raising the Jolly Roger just yet, but she is excitedly and enthusiastically exploring all that Ellis, the East End, and Pittsburgh has to offer. From the Gateway City to the Steel City, Mrs. Finley’s Midwest move marks a new chapter for the School as we look towards the second century of all-girls education at Ellis, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her at the helm. -
Tim Israel, Visual Arts Teacher
After spending his third year in the photo studio with Ellis girls, Visual Arts Teacher Tim Israel headed across the country this summer to be an Artist-in-Residence at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area in eastern Washington state. A road warrior in endless pursuit of exploring and finessing his craft, Tim’s Pacific Northwest adventure marks the second time he’s made art at the invitation of the National Park Service. His interest in film, old cameras, and alternative techniques brings a dose of nostalgia to his digital age student photographers and filmmakers, and challenges them to remix and reimagine their own unique perspectives behind the lens.
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Academic Support
Lower School
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Reading Specialist
The Reading Specialist addresses specific student literacy, disability, and organizational concerns by providing additional academic accommodations outside of the classroom. The specialist partners with faculty and parents to identify performance issues and suggest recommendations for learning support and/or further educational testing. Students are then set up with a customized plan, facilitated by the specialist, to strengthen and improve in-class performance and comprehension.
Middle School
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Academic Support Specialist
The Academic Support Specialist addresses specific student organizational and disability concerns by providing additional academic accommodations outside of the classroom. Through tailored, one-on-one sessions, the specialist proposes, recommends, and develops strategies, techniques, and skills that can effectively improve comprehension, analysis, writing, time management, test taking, and more. Each student seen by the specialist is set up with a customized plan to strengthen and improve her in-class performance and confidence.
Upper School
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Academic Support Specialist
The Academic Support Specialist addresses specific student concerns by providing additional academic accommodations outside of the classroom. The specialist partners with faculty, advisors, and parents to identify performance issues and suggest recommendations for learning support and/or further educational testing. Through tailored, one-on-one sessions, the specialist proposes, recommends, and develops strategies, techniques, and skills that can effectively improve comprehension, analysis, writing, time management, test taking, and more. -
The Writing Center
The Writing Center supports the writing community by providing a welcoming space for students to seek support at any stage of the creative process. Students are invited to make an appointment or drop in during office hours to discuss assigned school work as well as independent projects. The Center is also available as a space for students to work on their writing independently or collaboratively with their peers.
