THS Announces Next Head of School

Dear Hudson School Community:

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Rebekah Eve Sollitto as the next Head of The Hudson School. Following an extensive and rigorous search process conducted by the school's search committee, she will officially assume her role on July 1, 2024 to become the third Head of School in our 45-year history. Rebekah will succeed current Head, Paul Perkinson, who is retiring after eight highly productive years at THS and more than 30 years of educational leadership. 

Rebekah brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for education to THS. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Rebekah currently serves as the Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives at Poly Prep Country Day in Brooklyn. In this role, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to school improvement, focusing on multiple initiatives including strategic planning in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, the school’s recent NYSAIS reaccreditation process, an inaugural effort to create parent affinity groups and the COVID-19 response which kept the school open and thriving throughout the pandemic. Rebekah’s illustrious track record features a history of record-breaking admissions achievements and aligning institutional practices with a broader mission.

Rebekah grew up in Philadelphia and attended Germantown Friends School before moving on to Harvard College where she earned her A.B. in Psychology, played on the women’s varsity lacrosse team and graduated cum laude. She began her teaching career at Nightingale-Bamford School in New York City where she taught and led in the math and computer science departments, working to innovate curriculum content. 

Rebekah's dedication to educational excellence and her commitment to fostering vibrant, inclusive learning environments have distinguished her throughout her career. In addition to her degree from Harvard, she holds an M.A. in Technology Education from Columbia University, Teachers College and an M. ED in Independent School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University. 

When informed of her selection, Rebekah commented, "I am honored to join THS and to be part of a community committed to nurturing the limitless potential of its students, especially during such a pivotal and exciting time in the school’s history. I look forward to working with the dedicated faculty, staff, students and families to continue the school's tradition of excellence and innovation.”

Rebekah’s appointment is the result of a comprehensive and thoughtful search process, culminating in a unanimous vote by our Board of Trustees to select her as our next Head of School. I offer my deepest gratitude to all members of The Hudson School community who participated in this process and most especially to Search Committee Chair Paul O’Dell, as well as Committee members Minal Patel, Flora Ekpe-Idang, Randi Roberts and Michael Szarek for their tireless dedication to this critically important process and to our school. Special thanks also to our consultant Marcus Hurlbut of Educators Collaborative who has guided us for the past six months. We are especially grateful to everyone in our community who took part in this important process.

The selection of the Head of School is one of the greatest responsibilities of trusteeship. The role is charged with upholding our core pillars of courage, compassion and commitment, which were instrumental in guiding dedicated Hoboken educator Suellen Newman when she founded THS in 1978.

All of us in The Hudson School family can be proud not only that Rebekah has accepted the appointment, but also that the scope of the search was so extensive and the qualities of the interested candidates so outstanding. Rebekah’s extensive experience, innovative thinking and alignment with our school's mission make her the ideal choice to lead THS into the future. We are thrilled to welcome Rebekah and Joe, and their two children, Rosie and Charlie, to our school community. 

Sincerely, 

Daniel Gans, Chair, Board of Trustees