Meet Head of School Lise Charlier

Greetings from CSW!
The Cambridge School of Weston is a fascinating place. After five years as Head of School, I am still discovering new and wonderful things about the school’s long history, our engaged community, and our meaningful impact on the world. I am constantly inspired by the many ways our students own their journeys here; and impressed by the diverse accomplishments of our extraordinary alumni. 
I am also proud of how CSW lives our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives. As educators, we know that it’s sometimes challenging to be a teenager these days (perhaps equally so to parent one!). Our distinct, dynamic model of progressive education has weathered many tumultuous times over the past 138 years, and the adults on campus are deeply committed to their roles as educators, mentors, and role models. 

Hear from Lise about CSW’s philosophy on processing to world events.
Here are just a few examples of how we help students develop the wisdom, skills, and empathy required to take on whatever comes their way — tomorrow, next week, or in the decades to come:
  • Social justice, equity, and sustainable living are at the core of our identity as a school—including a foundational social justice requirement that touches every aspect of learning and life at CSW. 
  • We offer a four-year developmental curriculum (PACE: Promoting Awareness and Community Engagement) designed to develop competencies and skills in the following areas: Health & Wellness, Mindfulness, Social-Emotional Learning, Equity Literacy/DEI, and Service Learning.
  • Students play an essential role in shaping our community—and the policies that govern it—through leadership opportunities on Advisory Board, Dorm Board, and Board of Trustees; and through active, informed discourse at Town Meetings and school-wide assemblies. They can also participate in and lead over 35 existing alliance, affinity, and interest groups — or establish a new one!
There’s so much to explore and learn at CSW — I hope that you will take full advantage of our website, social media, and newsletters to learn more about what interests you. And if you are a family thinking about applying to CSW, I hope you’ll join us for an admissions event. We’d love to meet you!

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  • Learn More About Lise

    Born and raised in Haiti, Head of School Lise Charlier was educated in the Haitian, French, and American educational systems. Her father, Gérard Frédérique, was a Haitian ophthalmologist and her mother, Esther Eshelman, was a Mennonite nurse from a Pennsylvania farming family. 

    In her time at CSW, Lise has proven herself to be a capable and accomplished educator, who leads with intellect, patience, positivity, and drive. Her 25+ years of experience as a teacher and administrator is evident in her ability to build relationships, problem-solve, and innovate with creativity and confidence.

    Prior to CSW, Lise served as director of studies and strategic initiatives at Severn School in Severna Park, Maryland. Before this role at Severn, Lise was upper school assistant principal at Friends School of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland. She serves as President of the Board for the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE), a membership organization of over 270 independent schools. Lise has also served on the board of trustees for Green Street Academy, the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS), the Cowles Charitable Trust, and most recently the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE). 

    She holds an MS in education from Johns Hopkins University and a BS from Georgetown University. 

Follow Along with Lise's Lens

List of 10 news stories.

  • Lise's Lens: January 16, 2025

    There’s only a week left in Mod 3 but it’s a week full of exciting events and programming. My calendar is full and I am ready to dive in!

  • Lise's Lens: January 9, 2025

    I am so glad to be back into the swing of things after a fruitful trip to China followed by time with family and an inspiring professional development day with colleagues here on campus. Of course, my thoughts are also very much with those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

  • Lise's Lens: December 19, 2024

    While I was sad to say goodbye to our CSW families in China, it was important to me that I return to campus in time to wish our students, faculty, and staff a wonderful break, and to thank you all for a fantastic year so far. We have so much to be proud of. This past week alone, we hosted (and won!) the Gryphon Goblet Tournament, collaborated on a very important amendment to our technology policy, and continued to engage in the progressive learning practices that make our school so special.

  • Lise's Lens: December 12, 2024

    As I continue my journey through China, I am determined to learn as much as I can about this vibrant nation. At the same time, I continue to keep my eye on recent trends in education in the US and beyond.

  • Lise's Lens: December 5, 2024

    This week I am reading a novel by Tahar Ben Jelloun, watching the trailer for One Hundred Years of Solitude, and thinking about the concept of time.

  • Lise's Lens: November 21, 2024

    I recently returned from a visit to Mexico where I was able to enjoy a book by Mexican author Sofía Segovia, utilize my Spanish language skills, and visit a few world class museums. I had a wonderful time visiting schools and making new connections for CSW, but I am also very glad to be home and back on campus again!

  • Lise's Lens: November 14, 2024

    As I wrap up a week of travel, I am reading Viola Davis’s memoir, talking up CSW to everyone I meet, and lamenting the fact that I will miss this year’s fall production of Pride and Prejudice!

  • Lise's Lens: November 7, 2024

    Going into this week, no one could quite predict what was on the horizon with regards to the election here in the U.S. As I shared in last week’s post, my approach was to maintain a sense of hope and calm, but be prepared for anything. Now that the results are in, I am taking things minute by minute, day by day, and continuing to try to find joy and hold onto hope for the future. And, there is certainly much reflection for all of us to engage in. What do we hold on to? What might we be open to listen to? What might we be open to advocating for?

  • Lise's Lens: October 31, 2024

    This week, as Election Day in the United States looms near, I am thinking about the concept and practice of hope.

  • Lise's Lens: October 24, 2024

    This week I have been tuning into the UN’s Global Summit on Biodiversity, reading theories about the polarization of the United States, and marveling at the magic of international travel and exchange. I'm also getting excited for our Admissions Open House this weekend! Know someone who might be a good fit for CSW? Invite them to join us!

Office of the Head of School

45 Georgian Road
Weston, MA 02493
Tel. 781-642-8612

Lise Charlier
Head of School

Sherrill Bounnell
Assistant to the Head of School
"Together we will guarantee that CSW remains an extraordinary school — a place where young people have the time and space to grow into the people that they want to be, in an environment that allows them to know and appreciate themselves and others, where they can ask questions freely and fully, engage in intellectual pursuit, and be kind and contributing members of society who seek social justice locally and globally."

— Head of School Lise Charlier
45 Georgian Road | Weston, MA 02493 | 781-642-8600

CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.