PRESS RELEASE: Castilleja Appoints New Interim Head of School
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Emily McElhinney
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CASTILLEJA APPOINTS NEW INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL
Julia Russell Eells to Lead Independent Bay Area Girl School During 2024–2025 Academic Year
PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 18, 2023 – Castilleja School, an independent school for girls in grades 6–12, today announced it has hired Julia Russell Eells to lead the storied 117-year-old institution during the 2024–2025 academic year.
Ms. Eells joins Castilleja as an expert in stewarding educational leadership transitions. She served as the Head of School at San Francisco University High School from 2013 to 2022, overseeing the redesign of curriculum, student wellness programs, professional growth initiatives, and the launch of a DEI committee. Additionally, Ms. Eells served as Head of School at Lincoln School in Rhode Island, held leadership roles at Miss Porter’s School and The Ethel Walker School in Connecticut, and was assistant director of Admissions at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and a master’s degree in Humanities.
Ms. Eells also co-authored a book, The Nearly Complete Guide to Navigating the Head of School Transition, focused on proactively preparing for change and understanding school culture and community.
Although Ms. Eells’s appointment formally starts in July 2024, she has already begun getting to know the Castilleja community while supporting Acting Head of School Kathy Layendecker on strategic projects. Concurrently, Castilleja is conducting the search for a permanent Head of School to lead the institution starting in the 2025–2026 academic year.
About Castilleja School
Castilleja School, an independent Middle School and High School for girls, has been educating motivated young women since 1907 to become confident thinkers and compassionate leaders with a sense of purpose to effect change in the world. Learn more at workspace.htvdirect.net.