Update from the Head of School

Dear Sophia Academy Community,

I am reaching out to share an exciting leadership announcement for our school.

After many years of exceptional service, I am thrilled to announce the promotion of Melissa Moniz, our Assistant Head of School, to the newly established role of Principal. This new position reflects an important evolution in our leadership model—one that strengthens our ability to serve students while ensuring the long-term sustainability of our mission.

As Sophia Academy enters its next chapter of growth, we are establishing a new leadership structure in which an Executive Director oversees fundraising and operations, while the Principal focuses fully on our students, our academic program, and our vibrant school community. This structure creates clarity, strengthens collaboration, and ensures we remain focused on our values.

Mrs. Moniz’s journey at Sophia Academy began more than 20 years ago as a math teacher. Over the years, she has worn many hats, always leading with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every girl who walks through our doors. She lives her life—and her work—guided by our mission: To engage girls from low-income families on a joyful quest for self-discovery and opportunity through a middle school education grounded in social justice.

She knows our students and families intimately. She champions their voices. She believes fiercely in an equitable world where girls and women not only pursue fulfillment but claim their dreams and create positive change.

I am excited about what lies ahead for Sophia. Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Moniz and this powerful step forward for our school. This transition will officially take effect on July 1, 2026.

Sincerely,

Marie D. Myers

Head of School


Estimada comunidad de la Academia Sophia

Estimada comunidad de la Academia Sophia:

 

Me dirijo a ustedes para compartirles un emocionante anuncio sobre el liderazgo de nuestra escuela.

 Después de muchos años de servicio excepcional, me complace anunciar el ascenso de Melissa Moniz, nuestra Subdirectora, al nuevo cargo de Directora de la escuela. Este nuevo puesto refleja una importante evolución en nuestro modelo de liderazgo, que fortalece nuestra capacidad para servir a las estudiantes y garantiza la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de nuestra misión.

 Mientras la Academia Sophia inicia su siguiente etapa de crecimiento, estamos estableciendo una nueva estructura de liderazgo en la que una Directora Ejecutiva supervisa la recaudación de fondos y las operaciones, mientras que la Directora de la escuela se centra plenamente en nuestras estudiantes, nuestro programa académico y nuestra vibrante comunidad escolar. Esta estructura aporta claridad, fortalece la colaboración y garantiza que sigamos centrados en nuetros valores.

 La trayectoria de la Sra. Moniz en la Academia Sophia comenzó hace más de 20 años como profesora de matemáticas. A lo largo de los años, ha desempeñado diversas funciones, siempre liderando con integridad, compasión y una fe inquebrantable en el potencial de cada niña que cruza nuestras puertas. Vive su vida —y su trabajo— guiada por nuestra misión: Involucrar a niñas de familias de bajos ingresos en una búsqueda enriquecedora de autodescubrimiento y oportunidades a través de una educación intermedia basada en la justicia social.

 Ella conoce a nuestras estudiantes y sus familias a fondo. Defiende sus voces. Cree firmemente en un mundo equitativo donde las niñas y las mujeres no solo busquen la realización personal, sino que también alcancen sus sueños y generen un cambio positivo.

 Me entusiasma lo que depara el futuro para Sophia. Les invito a unirse a nosotros para felicitar a la Sra. Moniz por este importante paso adelante para nuestra escuela. Esta transición entrará en vigor oficialmente el 1 de julio de 2026.

 Atentamente,

 Marie D. Myers

Directora de la escuela

 
 

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


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

 
 

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!


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

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.

Spring Career Symposium 2024

Remi Jones and Aleksandra Azbel in attendance

At Sophia Academy’s third annual Career Symposium, our students and alumni spent a full-day with an extraordinarily diverse group of women who visited our school. Veterinarians, architects, small business owners, engineers, medical professionals, realtors, journalists, government professionals, and others– women of color–shared their inspiring stories that reflected their own wisdom and exemplified how Sophia students and alumnae can create their own herstory

The morning began with two panel sessions. With a fun and interactive twist, everyone used small whiteboards to write their answers to questions throughout both sessions. In session one, students remained with their classmates and assigned alumnae. Panelists joined students to form one big circle, creating a warm and open environment where everyone could feel safe, seen, and heard. In session two, students and alumnae divided into smaller circles for an in-depth career discussion based on the students’ interests.

Both sessions began with an introductory ice breaker activity, followed by panelists' introductions, an interactive game, and a student-led Q&A. Some of the student’s prepared questions included: Is your current job or career what you expected to be doing when you were in middle school? Are there things about your background, your race, or your gender that cause people to assume things about you? Do you have any advice for how we can start preparing for our futures now? 

In the afternoon, five panelists hosted five different workshops for students and alumnae where they engaged in hands-on, career related tasks. The workshop were How To Make Money With Ugly Homes with Claudia Ramirez, Ready, Set, Action! with Diana Murton, Public Speaking with Shawndell Burney-Speaks, Exploring Your Identity with Sara Monteiro, and Forces of Fight with Kerri Kottman. 

In their post-event reflection prompt activity of head- What did you learn today?, heart- What and how do you feel today?, and feet- What lesson did you learn that you will use in the future?, students and alumni wrote on sticky notes:

Head

Heart

Feet


2024 Panelists

 

Comfort Ateh

Aleksandra Azbel

Naiommy Baret

Asia Bourget

Shawndell Burney-Speaks

Genifer Bustamante

Rachel Gomes

Fallon Jean-Gilles Davis

Bailey Jenkins

Remi Jones

Kerri Kottman

Ashely Lakin

Melissa A. Long

Cathy Lund

Rebecca McGrath

Sara Monteiro

Diana Murton

Nicolette Naya

Jerika Paz

Claudia Ramirez

Courtney Rebensdorf

Anaridis Rodriguez

Christine West