Sophia Academy Announces Susan Rittscher as Interim Executive Director

After careful reflection, the Board of Trustees has decided to pause our search and welcome Susan Rittscher as Sophia's interim executive director.

Susan is, in many ways, already connected to our community. A decade ago, she helped draft the strategic plan that continues to shape our work today. She brings decades of experience leading major nonprofits, including the Greater Providence YMCA and the Center for Women and Enterprise. Currently, she works with organizations to guide them through leadership transitions with commitment and care. 

Susan knows our mission and believes in our students. We are grateful that she has agreed to serve during this important moment. She will begin meeting with school leaders in the coming days to ensure a smooth transition. Her first official day will be July 1, 2026.

Moving from a head of school model to an executive director model is a significant evolution for Sophia and one that deserves time. Bringing Susan on as interim will allow us to honor a thoughtful transition from our Head of School Marie Myers and give the board space to assess how this new role can best serve our school community for years to come.

Read the full letter here: https://www.sophia-academy.org/exec

Arts Intensive Week 2026

From May 26-29, Sophia Academy students participated in our annual Arts Intensive Week, a week-long celebration of creativity, exploration, and artistic expression. Students had the opportunity to learn from incredible visiting artists through workshops in filmmaking, hip hop, Latin dance, spoken word, and visual arts. Throughout the week, students developed new skills, collaborated with their peers, and explored different forms of creative expression. The experience culminated in an inspiring showcase featuring student performances, a student-produced film, visual artwork, and more.

The 2026 Arts Intensive Week was made possible in part through the generous support of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA). We are grateful for RISCA’s investment in arts education and for helping provide Sophia Academy students with the opportunity to learn from professional artists and experience the transformative power of the arts.

Upcoming: 2026 Career Symposium

Career Symposium

April 9, 2026

Sophia Academy is excited to announce our Women of Wisdom Career Symposium happening this spring! We look forward to welcoming new and returning panelists for a day of learning, sharing, and empowering!

Interesting in joining this event? Click the link below to find out more. https://forms.gle/a5efcv5Ng2LXLiv29

Head of School to step down in June 2026

Marie D. Myers announced that she will step down as Sophia Academy's Head of School in June 2026. In a letter to the community, Myers wrote:

“Thank you. I am deeply grateful for the profound privilege of leading this amazing school. Serving as head of school has been an experience that I will always cherish, and I will carry Sophia in my heart forever. My support for this exceptional community will never waver.”

“I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished together. Working with our dedicated team, we have strengthened our program, expanded opportunities for enrichment and wellness, deepened our commitment to equity and belonging, and ensured that every student who walks through our doors is seen, supported, and challenged.”  

In the coming weeks, the Board of Trustees will announce our plans for the search for the next Head, who will enable Sophia Academy to continue to thrive in the spirit with which it was founded almost 25 years ago.

To read Marie's full letter and stay updated on our Head of School search, please visit: https://www.sophia-academy.org/hossearch

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La Directora de la Escuela dejará su cargo en junio de 2026

Marie Myers anunció que dejará el cargo de directora de la Academia Sophia en junio de 2026. En una carta a la comunidad, Myers escribió:

“Gracias. Estoy profundamente agradecida por el gran privilegio de dirigir esta increíble escuela. Ser directora ha sido una experiencia que siempre atesoraré y llevaré a Sophia en mi corazón por siempre. Mi apoyo a esta excepcional comunidad nunca flaqueará”.

“Estoy increíblemente orgullosa de todo lo que hemos logrado juntos. Trabajando con nuestro dedicado equipo, hemos fortalecido nuestro programa, ampliado las oportunidades de enriquecimiento y bienestar, profundizado nuestro compromiso con la equidad y la pertenencia, y nos hemos asegurado de que cada estudiante que entra por nuestras puertas sea reconocida, apoyada y motivada”.

En las próximas semanas, el Consejo Directivo anunciará nuestros planes para la búsqueda del próximo director, quien permitirá que la Academia Sophia continúe prosperando con el espíritu con el que se fundó hace casi 25 años.

Para leer la carta completa de Marie y mantenerse actualizado sobre nuestra búsqueda de Director de Escuela, visite: https://www.sophia-academy.org/hossearch

🩵What Giving Tuesday Means to Students Like Avalina

Join us for WOW!

2025 Women of Wisdom Celebration

honoring Kim Anderson & Heidi Silverio ‘10

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

5:30 - 8:30PM

WaterFire Arts Center

475 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02908

unable to join us BUt want to SHOw your support?

Online: sophia-academy.org/donate

Sponsor the Celebration: sophia-academy.org/sponsor-online-payment

By check: Payable to Sophia Academy, mailed to 582 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907

Securities or wire transfers: Contact Washawn Jones, Director of Advancement at wjones@sophia-academy.org or 401-784-0021 x201.

Celebrate Sister Mary!

We are looking forward to celebrating our amazing founder, Sister Mary Reilly, during a special evening at the Providence Art Club on June 17th at 6:00pm!

Just as excited as we are? Click below to RSVP now!

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Questions? Please contact Washawn Jones, Director of Development and External Affairs at wjones@sophia-academy.org or call (401) 784-0021 x201.

Happy Birthday Sister Mary!!!

Women Sharing Wisdom

 “I felt empowered and motivated by the stories the woman told.”

Women of Wisdom are collaborators, bridge builders (metaphorically and physically), and mentors. They carry themselves with integrity, with poise, and with strength. Ultimately, they possess the Sophia Academy core values of Courage, Respect, Responsibility, and Peace.

This year at our fourth annual Career Symposium, we hosted 35 Women of Wisdom in an all-day multi-session event that was nothing short of magical. Every one of our students spent time with panelists that matched their interests. During this time our girls listened to the panelist tell their stories, answer questions, and conduct hand-on workshops.

 “I felt really inspired so now I want to be a dentist.”

The most important part of the Career Symposium is that we are able to bring in people from the community, our own leaders and professionals, to let our students know that they too can be successful. This year, our Women of Wisdom did exactly what we knew they would; they inspired. Their presence allowed our girls to see themselves as individuals who are successful, who are capable, and who are worthy of celebration.

Every student felt connected to at least one panelist, whether they related due to similar interest in career, through culture, or through creativity the energy was evident. The careers were just as diverse as the women who accepted the call. We welcomed women with jobs ranging from Erin L. Batth, Providence College Women’s Basketball Coach, to Julissa Pereira, the founder of Moms on Missions, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering single parents. We hosted Sav Hazard-Chaney, an artist who founded and owns Rhode Island's first Black and Women-owned rug tufting studio, TuftPVD. We urge you to continue exploring the list of Women of Wisdom who came to Sophia Academy by visiting our Career Symposium page. Here.

 “motivated and inspired… you don't need a great beginning to have a great end.”

To our panelists: Thank you will never be enough, but it’s a start. Thank you from the entire Sophia Academy community. You’ve solidified our (and the students) deep love and respect for each and everyone of you.

Special shout out to Erika Nonya for making the tote bags for panelists and the t-shirts for staff. Another shout out to Seven Stars Bakery for the in-kind donation of breakfast pastries and also Meg over at Roger Williams Park Zoo for all their donations to make this event possible. And lastly, thank you to the Career Symposium team, Angie Duran, Miche Fontes, Cece Myers-Rafferty, Viclmari, and Linsey Lopez. It gets better every year and this year you all put in so much work to make sure it happened. We appreciate you! 

Upcoming: Fall 2024 Career Symposium

Upcoming Event

October 22, 2024

Sophia Academy is excited to announce our fourth annual Women of Wisdom Career Symposium! We look forward to welcoming an incredible group of panelists to share their own unique stories, careers, and words of wisdom with our students and alumnae.

To read more about the upcoming Career Symposium and find out more about our panelists, visit our Career Symposium page by clicking the button above.