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Sanford Appoints New Head of Upper School
Abbi Smith will join the Sanford School leadership team in the 2018–19 school year as the new head of Upper School. Currently, Smith is the Upper School associate director and Upper School dean of academics at Friends Select School in Philadelphia.
Smith earned her BS in physics from Texas Christian University and her MSEd from Drexel University. She has worked at Friends Select School for the past 17 years and was selected from a competitive group of finalists following several rounds of interviews with Sanford school leaders, teachers, and students.
Sanford Head of School Mark Anderson said: "Abbi brings to Sanford a deep independent school experience and a student-centered approach to leadership. Her academic and administrative skills have led her to this exciting time when she is truly ready to lead a division. For all of these reasons, Abbi Smith will be both a great match at Sanford and hugely successful in her new role. I am confident that Abbi will be an outstanding leader for our Upper School, and I look forward to working with her."
Smith is looking forward to taking on this new role, stating: "I am excited to be joining such a warm, dynamic, and intellectual community. Meeting with students, faculty, staff and administrators during my visit confirmed for me that Sanford School lives and breathes its mission and motto, so that students can explore and develop passions in academics, the arts, athletics and extracurriculars. I am eager to get to know each member of the community and to lead a division that continues to promote student-centered and joyful learning within a rigorous, college-preparatory program."
Smith and her husband Billy, an attorney for SEPTA, are the parents of two children.
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Sanford Head of School Mark Anderson said: "Abbi brings to Sanford a deep independent school experience and a student-centered approach to leadership. Her academic and administrative skills have led her to this exciting time when she is truly ready to lead a division. For all of these reasons, Abbi Smith will be both a great match at Sanford and hugely successful in her new role. I am confident that Abbi will be an outstanding leader for our Upper School, and I look forward to working with her."
Smith is looking forward to taking on this new role, stating: "I am excited to be joining such a warm, dynamic, and intellectual community. Meeting with students, faculty, staff and administrators during my visit confirmed for me that Sanford School lives and breathes its mission and motto, so that students can explore and develop passions in academics, the arts, athletics and extracurriculars. I am eager to get to know each member of the community and to lead a division that continues to promote student-centered and joyful learning within a rigorous, college-preparatory program."
Smith and her husband Billy, an attorney for SEPTA, are the parents of two children.
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