News

We are saddened to announce that Betty Benson, Upper School Director, has tendered her resignation from Charles Wright Academy. Betty has been a strong and transformative leader for Charles Wright’s Upper School these past two years, championing the continuation and growth of many programs and changing culture. She’s moved the needle on updating academic curricula and experiential opportunities to current best practices for students. She encouraged a strong culture of equity and inclusion for all members of the Upper School community, and fostered a growing culture of excellence for faculty/staff by implementing the school’s first-ever formal evaluation process. She has done more in the last two years to advance the school’s Strategic Vision 2030 than we could have imagined. She has had a significant impact on this community that will last for years to come. Ms. Benson and her family will be dearly missed at CWA and we hope that you will join us in wishing them all the best in their next chapter.

We are so pleased to announce that Rachel Rippl has accepted an offer to take on an expanded role for 2024-25 to serve in the capacity of Interim Middle and Upper Schools Director. Rachel has a very long history with Charles Wright Academy, and has been a successful Faculty member, Assistant Middle School Director, Co-Director of Middle School, and most recently, the Middle School Director since her permanent appointment to that role in 2021. This spring, Rachel was encouraged to apply to the NAIS Aspiring Heads program after she expressed a desire to grow in her leadership and take on more responsibility and opportunities. She was, of course, accepted as a candidate to that program and the school will continue to support her opportunity for learning and growth in that endeavor through completion in 2026.

Incoming Interim Head of School, Chris Gorycki, wholeheartedly agreed that Rachel is an excellent choice to take on this expanded role. He expressed how impressed he was with her energy, ability, and knowledge during his interview and in subsequent conversations with Rachel. When asked, Rachel had this to say about her expanded role:

“As we prepare to launch the 2024-25 school year, I am excited to step into a new role as the Interim Middle and Upper School Director. I look forward to the work ahead and am confident in the mission and vision of our school as we continue to build our legacy as an educational leader in the South Sound. During my eighteen years at Charles Wright, I’ve had the privilege of building strong relationships with many of our students, families, and faculty. It is this foundation that will serve as one of our anchoring points, as we cultivate a rich community and engage in active, joyful learning together.”

Please join us in congratulating Rachel on this new position and the opportunities it brings.