A Fresh Beginning

Dr. Elinor Scully Returns Home to NCS

In 2013, Dr. Elinor Scully was part of the National Cathedral School administrative team debating the wording of a new mission statement and core values. The core values of “excellence” and “service”—central to NCS’s character since 1900—were givens. But what other qualities should NCS and its students embody in the 21st century?

When Scully suggested “courage,” the group quickly embraced it as a bold choice. “Conscience” followed shortly thereafter, creating the four core values that resound in today’s mission statement: We believe in the power of young women and educate them to embrace our core values of excellence, service, courage, and conscience.

“Courage” is an apt introduction to NCS’s 12th head of school: colleagues and associates past and present all note Scully’s energy, commitment, and drive to create the best possible environment for learning. Why did she champion the use of the word “courage”? “I felt strongly about it,” she says. “Courage is essential if a young woman is to stand up for herself and others.”

Supported by Family and Faith
At her Oct. 7 installation service in Washington National Cathedral, Scully spoke of her family’s love of the natural world, which they considered sacred. “As we explored the world together…I could always ask questions, hold an opinion, make mistakes…and always, always be myself…My family and my life in independent schools have taught me profound lessons that emanate from principles of faith and spirituality, grounded in the Episcopal tradition.”

She credits her family and faith as making her life’s work possible; she also continues to find the natural world, especially the sea, a source of comfort and inspiration.

Career Begins at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes, 1990-2005
Describing herself as a “developmentalist,” Scully has always been interested in how learning works—particularly how it influences, and is influenced by, a student’s social and psychological development. She earned a PhD and an MS in education from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in English from the University of Virginia. Today, she is a nationally recognized expert in childhood and adolescent development who has consulted with more than 40 independent schools and written for numerous publications.

She began her career as a family life education teacher at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Va., subsequently taking positions as chair of the Family Life Education Department and associate director of the Upper School. “Teaching health and human sexuality classes at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes launched my career, but more importantly, it introduced me to the intersection of education, spirituality, and faith,” she says. “I began to understand what was possible in an educational community rooted in the Episcopal tradition…God’s call to lead with love, respect, and understanding became the inclusive practice that celebrated all members of the community.”

The First NCS Years, 2005-2013 
Scully says joining NCS as head of the Upper School/assistant head of school was one of the most extraordinary professional experiences of her life. “The nature of the academic program, the bonds and connections, and frankly, the passion and expertise of the faculty, thrilled and challenged me.”

Among those challenges was Head of School Kathleen O’Neill Jamieson’s request that Scully take an in-depth look at the student experience. “The fundamental question was, does NCS’s rigorous education come at too great a cost?” says Scully. “How do we make it more joyful, meaningful, and in balance?” These questions led to a comprehensive study of homework loads and testing schedules, with resulting changes to both. Scully also points to the creation of the Teaching and Learning Center as a significant step forward.

She recalls with pleasure being an advisor to several homerooms. “I loved seeing how my advisees grew over several years,” she said. “They are now college grads, out in the world doing exciting things! These connections are very important to me, and I look forward to engaging with our alumnae community in the months and years ahead.”

“Dr. Scully’s ability to listen intensely, connect deeply, and advocate fiercely shaped my NCS experience as her advisee,” said Polly Terzian ’13. “I distinctly remember the first time I heard her speak: guiding us to be kind, inclusive, and to recognize and appreciate those who often work in the shadows. Her presence captivated me, and I knew immediately that she was someone special. As one of the most influential figures during my NCS journey and beyond, I know Dr. Scully will make an indelible impact on NCS.”

Head of the Langley School, 2013-2021 
At Langley, Scully led the development of a greatly enriched curriculum for its preschool through 8th-grade students. “We moved to an inquiry-based model,” she says.

“We also made a clear commitment to early childhood education versus child care. What do early literacy practices look like? What does a kindergarten student need to know, and how do we build backward to achieve it?” As a result, the Langley School has become a model for early childhood education.

“As a former Langley School and NCS parent, I am particularly thrilled to have Elinor back ‘home,’” says Elizabeth Hayes, a current NCS Governing Board and former Langley Board member. “Elinor worked to improve the curriculum and student experience during her years at Langley. She will bring this same energy, creativity, and expertise to focus on each NCS girl, ensuring a well-rounded academic, emotional, and creative experience for our daughters.”

A Fresh Beginning at NCS, 2021-
“I may have circled back, but it’s really a fresh beginning. The intervening years and the pandemic have moved the school and society forward in new ways,” says Scully. “I am very conscious and grateful that NCS gave me the time to finish at Langley, and I know everyone here is eager to get going. I’m excited about building on the exceptional foundation laid by Kathy Jamieson and Sue Bosland.”

Scully noted that her immediate priority is hiring for key positions and ensuring opportunities for faculty and staff to grow in their professional lives. Like many other schools, NCS experienced staff and faculty turnover due to the pandemic. “It’s a time of rebooting and reimagining, and the collegial energy is really exciting,” she says.

“After this past year, I think parents may have a different appreciation of what teachers do, how hard and nuanced the work is!”

“After working here for many years and then stepping away, she returns with a fresh perspective and is instantly positioned to start making an impact,” says Aasheema Hudda, parent of Aanya ’21, NCS Governing Board member, and member of the Head of School Search Committee. “On a personal level, with her warm and outgoing personality, she brings a tidal wave of positive energy. On a professional level, she is articulate, decisive, and thoughtful. She is a leader who knows herself.”

Continuing What She Started 
Long-term, Scully’s focus will continue to be on the student experience and understanding what students need from their years at NCS. That includes not only a culture that encourages academic excellence, but one she describes as “a powerfully inclusive environment that fosters a strong sense of belonging and connectivity.”

“I think we all recognize that the future will present extraordinary challenges for our students, and our task, as educators, working in partnership with parents, is to empower them to move ahead fearlessly, to be ready and resilient to meet the future.”

“Raw skill in any single domain does not ensure a successful future: mastery of a subject by itself does not guarantee fulfillment, joy, or satisfaction in life,” Scully says. “Our students need to know how to partner, to manage competing pressures, and to engage their brains and spirits in ways that lessen rather than contribute to anxiety. The ultimate ‘future-proofing’ we can provide includes not only a superb academic foundation, but also the social and emotional pathways to fulfillment and an expanded vision of what constitutes ‘success’ in life.”

Scully also hopes to build upon existing strong relationships across the Close, particularly with St. Albans School as students return to a coordinate program.

“We are committed to women’s education, because this single-sex environment still provides important advantages,” she adds. “That being said, I think we have a unique opportunity to do something remarkable with our coordinate program with St. Albans. Our two schools offer the best of both worlds, a unique collaboration that has the potential to be a model for the nation.”

A Message For All Students
At her installation homily’s end, Scully expressed her gratitude for her new role at NCS and closed with a special message for the students gathered in the Cathedral: “I want you to know I have come back to serve this school community for a reason. I want this school to be a cherished part of your life. I want it to transform you for the better. I want you to transform NCS for the better. I want you to feel deeply known and loved. And I want you to engage and serve a world in need of healing. I want you to go where you are led.”

Written by M. J. McKinven, a former NCS communications director, this story originally appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of NCS Magazine.