Maura Farrell, Head of School, Sophia Academy, Providence, RI
Maura Farrell joined Sophia Academy in 2018. A nonsectarian, tuition-free independent school for girls from low-income families, Sophia has a strong social justice mission; graduates matriculate to high school and nearly 100% go on to college. Under Farrell’s leadership, the school has expanded the arts, academic support, guidance, restorative justice, and professional development, and recently initiated SophiaCorps, a full-time residency that prepares first generation college students/graduates for education careers. Prior to joining Sophia, as Associate Head of Winchester Thurston School (PA), Farrell played a leadership role in developing, funding, and garnering national recognition for the school’s City as Our Campus program. Farrell has presented at national conferences for the National Association of Independent Schools, National Coalition of Girls Schools, and Council for the Advancement & Support of Education. She has been interviewed and published on restorative justice, nonprofit strategy, and educational innovation. She is a Trustee at Cambridge School of Weston (MA).