Rachel Sussman

Rachel Sussman

Head of School

Ms. Sussman started her career as a middle school history teacher in NYC. In 2012, she became the Director of Ward 7’s Higher Achievement Program at Kelly Miller Middle School, where she worked with students, families, staff and community members to increase student academic achievement and ensure placement in high achieving high schools. She then spent the next decade in the DC charter sector, serving as a member of the founding leadership team at DC International Public Charter School (DCI), a high-performing, multilingual middle and high school in the District. At DCI, she developed systems to support student achievement and school culture, including designing the school’s intervention program (RTI) and integrating restorative practices. Ms. Sussman also served as a board member and chair for The Next Step Public Charter School, focusing on effective and transparent governance, strategic planning, and leadership development. Ms. Sussman is not only an experienced educator in DC, but she also studied Hebrew throughout elementary school, privately, and at the college level. She gained familiarity with Israeli culture through her many personal and professional trips to Israel. Ms. Sussman holds degrees from Barnard College, Yale University, and a National Principal Academy Fellowship from Relay Graduate School of Education. She is married with two young children in PK3 and Kindergarten.