About Us

Head of School's Welcome

Hackley has been inspiring students to Go forth and spread beauty and light for more than 120 years. Founded in 1899 by Frances Hackley, a leading philanthropist of her era, the school has grown into an 850-student, K-12 coeducational independent school situated on an idyllic 285-acre campus.

While new buildings and programs have kept Hackley at the leading edge of the educational landscape, the School’s foundation rests upon people, relationships and community. At Hackley, who you are matters more than your individual accomplishments. Indeed, as one of our core values notes, Character is higher than intellect


Our campus, affectionately known as the Hilltop, has served as the setting for academic and personal growth for generations of students. Another core value, Enter here to be and find a friend, is carved above the entrance of our main building, welcoming all who come to the Hilltop. In that spirit, I encourage you to come see our campus in action. While you are here, you will find talented faculty working alongside enthusiastic students in an environment where academic inquiry and scholarship is respected and valued. 

The School’s fourth core value, United, we help one another, serves to remind us that young people are best inspired in communities where they feel connected to something larger than themselves. Whether cheering on classmates at an athletic contest or performing arts concert, students at Hackley support one another on their journey through these transformational years and leave with lifelong friendships. 

Thank you for visiting our website, and I look forward to seeing you on the Hilltop.

Go Hack!
Charles Franklin P ’30, ’32, ’35
     
     

Recent Articles:

List of 6 news stories.

  • Hackley Head of School Charles Franklin

    Hackley Perspectives: Disconnect to Reconnect - Being Fully Present

    By Charles Franklin, Hackley Head of School
    In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, Head of School Charles Franklin discusses how putting away our smartphones can help us reconnect as a community. “What we want is for each and every student at Hackley to give their undivided attention to their education, their peers, their teachers and their school. We want them to form relationships with as many people as possible — people in different grades and people with different backgrounds. Being fully present, both with ourselves and for others, is perhaps our broadest generational challenge as a society.” Read the post here.
  • Head of School Charles Franklin, Community Council President Rafael Castro '25 and Associate Head of School Dr. Cyndy Jean

    Hackley Community Kicks Off School Year at Convocation Ceremony

    The first week of school is always an exciting time on the Hilltop! This week, we delighted in reconnecting with Hackley families and students, and on Thursday morning, Head of School Charles Franklin, Community Council President Rafael Castro '25 and Associate Head of School Dr. Cyndy Jean formally welcomed the Hackley Community to the academic year at Convocation 2024.
    Read More
  • Hackley Community Kicks Off Academic Year at Convocation 2023

    On Thursday, Sept. 7, the Hackley community came together at Convocation 2023 and formally launched the academic year with welcome notes from Associate Head of School Dr. Cyndy Jean, Community Council President EJ Regalado ’24, Board of Trustees President Dr. Harvinder Sandhu and Head of School Charles Franklin.
    Read More
  • Hackley Welcomes New Members, Roles to the Community

    On July 1, 2023, Hackley officially welcomed the School’s 13th Head of School Charles Franklin to the Hilltop. Additionally, former Assistant Head of School for Community and Inclusivity Cyndy Jean assumed the role of Associate Head of School, and former Middle School history teacher and dean Damon Hall stepped into the position of Assistant Director of the Middle School.
    Read More
  • Hackley Head of School Charles Franklin and the Dial's Maura McGlarry '24

    Hackley's New Head of School Speaks With the Dial

    On his visit to the Hilltop in May, Hackley's new Head of School Charles Franklin sat down with the Dial's Maura McGlarry ’24. Click here to read the full Dial article.
  • Charles Franklin, Hackley's 13th Head of School

    Hackley Announces 13th Head of School

    Charles Franklin has been named Hackley's new Head of School, beginning July 1. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Franklin based on the recommendation of the search committee and the hundreds of survey responses and feedback received from members of the Hackley community, including faculty, staff, families, students, and alumni.
    Read More
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