(Columbus, OH) -- The Wellington School is proud to announce the appointment of Shelley Brown as its new Assistant Head of School for Academics, effective July 1, 2025. Brown will oversee Wellington’s Little Jags–grade 12 academic program while continuing her exceptional leadership as Head of Early Childhood and Lower School.
“Shelley’s thoughtful leadership has created an environment where students are engaged, curious, and confident learners,” said Eliza McLaren, Wellington’s Head of School. “Her ability to balance consistency, support, and autonomy for faculty makes her uniquely qualified to lead Wellington’s academic vision forward.”
Since joining Wellington, Brown has spearheaded transformative initiatives that reflect the school’s commitment to academic excellence and experiential learning. Under her guidance, the Lower School adopted the science of reading as a pedagogical approach and implemented a new math curriculum focused on small-group instruction. These efforts have yielded outstanding results, with this fall’s MAP scores exceeding the national norm by 25–30 percentile points.
In her expanded role, Brown will lead professional development, measure academic progress using tools such as the Wellington Engagement Index, and coordinate faculty support and evaluation. She will work closely with Middle and Upper School Division Heads Louis Frank and Rishi Raghunathan to ensure consistency and innovation across all divisions.
To support this transition, Wellington will conduct a search for a full-time Assistant Head of Early Childhood and Lower School to oversee day-to-day operations in that division.
“Shelley’s leadership reflects Wellington’s mission to prepare students for tomorrow’s world,” McLaren said. “Her dedication to fostering curiosity, responsibility, empathy, ambition, and authenticity will strengthen our vision of One School and advance academic excellence across all grades.”
Brown's appointment is part of a broader effort to align Wellington’s academic leadership structure with the school’s scope and ambition, ensuring a cohesive and forward-thinking educational experience from Little Jags to grade 12.
ABOUT WELLINGTON:
Founded in 1982 by a group of local entrepreneurs as Columbus’ first coeducational independent school, Wellington is home to lifelong learners and lifelong leaders. Our 700 students, from three-year-olds to 12th graders, thrive as part of a community where the thrill of pursuing new experiences ignites curiosity and joy. With a focus on passion-driven learning guided by students’ interests, Wellington fosters an entrepreneurial mindset for today’s generation to tackle tomorrow’s challenges. Diversity is foundational to our educational philosophy because a greater sense of belonging leads to better learning. With students from 52 zip codes and 67 countries of origin, our community represents an array of identities. Learn more about the Wellington experience at www.wellington.org.
###