Head’s Welcome

Dear Members of the Community, 

It is with great excitement that we prepare to commence the 136th year of educating middle and upper school students at The Williams School. As we build on generations of successes, we are moving forward with continuous growth across our people, programs, and two shoreline campuses – located at Connecticut College in New London and Bloomingdale Road in Quaker Hill. Our Administration and staff have worked diligently all summer to welcome new and returning students when classes begin on September 1st. 

Driven by our Strategic Plan for Growth, we are expanding initiatives for the 2026-2027 school year to deliver a world-class education for students in grades 6-12 across nearly 40 communities in Rhode Island and Connecticut. 

Grounded in Purpose & Core Values

At the center of a Williams education is our mission: to foster the intellectual, moral, creative, and physical development of students in preparation for college, lifelong learning, and active participation in an evolving world. Everything we do is anchored in our core values:

• Scholarship: Rigorous academics and innovative learning that prepare students for top colleges.

• Character: Cultivating integrity, leadership, and ethical citizenship.

• Community: Fostering strong connections among students, families, faculty, and alumni across the region.

Growth, Innovation, & Expanded Programs

The Williams School opens this school year in a position of vibrant momentum and financial strength. Thanks to the dedication of our trustees, faculty, current families, and alumni, our strong enrollment, endowment, and capital contributions continue to flourish.

• Enriched Summer Programming: This season, we launched enhanced summer options spanning athletics, the arts, and academics, including the inaugural launch of Camp Bluefish—which will expand to a full six-week day camp program in Summer 2027!

• Exceptional New Educators: We are thrilled to welcome new faculty to our Teaching & Learning team:

  • Valerie Remillard – Theater

  • Eliza Smith ’06 – Mathematics

  • Thomas Woessner – Assistant Athletic Director & English

Join Our Community!

As I enter my 19th year as Head of School, I remain deeply proud of our students, our dedicated faculty, and our forward-thinking Board of Trustees. There has never been a better time to discover what a Williams School education can offer your child.

We invite prospective families to visit us, tour our campuses, and experience our community firsthand.

Warm regards,

Mark Fader

Head of School

Opening of School Letter from Head of School Mark Fader | August 2026