BOSTON — A new headmaster has been named for Boston Latin School, BPS Superintendent announced Thursday.
Rachel Skerrit will be the first leader of color, the third woman and the 28th headmaster of the school.
Skerritt is an alumni of BLS and also taught English there. She’s a Dorchester native and is currently working as the deputy chief of leadership development for the District of Columbia Public Schools.
"We would be hard pressed to find another educator better suited to lead Boston Latin School than Rachel Skerritt. Rachel's passion for her alma mater, her deep familiarity with its traditions, and her commitment to equity make her uniquely qualified for this role," Mayor Martin J. Walsh said. "We are grateful she has chosen to return to Boston and serve the students of our city."
Skerritt attended the University of Pennsylvania for college, where she earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education.
She taught at BLS as a seventh grade English teacher in 1997 and worked there for seven years, earning the Crystal Award for excellence in teaching in 2006, an honor given out by the school's students.
Skerritt did her principal fellowship at Another Course to College, where she later served as headmaster. She was then appointed as chief of staff for BPS.
Skerritt left Boston Public Schools in November 2010 to become principal of Eastern Senior High School in Washington, D.C.
Superintendent Chang said Ms. Skerritt is the ideal school leader to advance the mission of Boston Latin and the ongoing work to make BLS a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.
"Rachel's life and professional experiences are tailor-made to lead Boston Latin School into its next chapter of excellence and equity for all," Chang said. "She is a champion of providing rigor and opportunities for every single student in her care, and she is someone who will not compromise when it comes to the education of young people."
"I am incredibly excited to serve as headmaster of my alma mater, an institution that has shaped me as a learner and a leader," said Skerritt. "I look forward to collaborating with staff, students, parents, alumni, partners, and the community at large to ensure that Latin School's mission of college preparedness, and responsible and engaged citizenship is realized for all of our students."