Meet
Dr Priscilla Sands

Discover the journey of Dr. Priscilla Sands, an educator and parent who has dedicated her career to transforming learning environments and empowering young minds through innovative programs and leadership. Through her experience and written works, she sets forth a different and sometimes controversial path toward looking at education through a lens of creativity and equity.

Dr. Priscilla Sands

began her independent school career teaching drama and English at her alma mater, Agnes Irwin School in Philadelphia. She later oversaw the school’s community service program before becoming Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. In 1993 she was named Assistant Head of School, and in 1996 was appointed Head of School at Springside School in Philadelphia. In 2011, when Springside merged with its brother school, Chestnut Hill Academy, the new Board appointed her President of the combined institution, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

At SCH, Dr. Sands established the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, renamed in her honor.  Through extensive research using the Design Institute at Stanford University, she and her team created a vision for passion-based learning focused on helping students build the skills and mindset required for their future success. She has long been a champion of design thinking and project-based learning and was working on the creation of a Mindfulness Program based on the work of Dr. Martin Seligman.

In 2015, Dr. Sands was named head of Marlborough School in Los Angeles, CA, bringing her long standing commitment to girls’ schools to this new position. She retired in 2022 having created the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, continuing her  commitment in passion based learning, engineering, research, robotics, and entrepreneurship under one umbrella, with a focus on space as a student-centered environment. Not quite ready to fully retire, in 2023, she was appointed the Interim Head of San Diego French American School.  Currently, she and her daughter are writing a book and getting ready to launch their podcast, So, Mom. 

Dr. Sands earned a B.F.A. in theatre from the University of Rhode Island. She went on to earn a Master’s in Liberal Studies from Villanova and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

Early
career

Taught drama and English at Agnes Irwin School, Philadelphia; later became Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

1993

Named Assistant Head of School, Agnes Irwin School

1996

Appointed Head of School at Springside School, Philadelphia

2011

Became President of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH) following the merger with Chestnut Hill Academy
Established the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at SCH

2015

Became head of Marlborough School, Los Angeles, CA
Created the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

2022

Retired from Marlborough School

August 2023

Appointed Interim Head of San Diego French American School

Current

Writing a book with daughter, Adele Griffin; preparing to launch podcast “So, Mom…”

Through the Lens: Capturing
Moments with Dr. Priscilla Sands

What People
Are Saying

I have often thought about what it takes to be a Head of School—let alone an extraordinary one. And then I think of Dr. Sands—a leader that students, parents, and faculty can count on, someone who makes you feel welcome at her school the moment you meet her. Beneath it all is a keen intelligence and curiosity that makes you want to say the smartest thing you can think of to her.

Rosalind Wiseman

For me, Priscilla embodies all that is great about our school. She is present, confident, learned, and takes great pleasure in sharing all that she has to give. My fondest memory of Priscilla will always be her willingness to listen, for that is the hallmark of a great leader and an even greater human being. I would like to thank her for being an exquisite role model for my children and myself.

Parent

Dr. Sands, I am going to miss you so much. I remember when I found out I had migraines, and you said I was welcome anytime in your office to lie down and rest because you had migraines just like me and knew how I felt. I love when, in TK or kindergarten, you would come to read to us. You always had the best reading voice.

Student

Over the years, Priscilla became more than a mentor and a professional role model to me; she also became a surrogate mother. She made time to check in on me, both professionally and personally, allowing me to join in her power walks and always seemed to have the perfect advice. I will miss her smile, her blue eyes, and her ability to give the most eloquent talks without any script.

Educator