Woodlands Academy Transitions to a
New Head of School In her June 11 “farewell” email to Woodlands Academy
school in Austin, Texas. During that time, she improved
faculty and staff, outgoing Head of School Meg Steele
the school’s relationship with the diocese of Austin,
said, “It has been wonderful to get to know Dawn
stabilized enrollment and launched a successful capital
Nichols over the past weeks as we transition, and I am
campaign. Previously, she was head of school for 16 years
so excited about the future.” Steele was referring to her
at Visitation School in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, an
work with Dawn Nichols, Ed.D, preparing the way for
independent Catholic all-girls school with students in
the new head of school to take over July 1. This effort,
grades 6 to 12. There she strengthened enrollment, was
plus Nichols’ prior knowledge of Woodlands Academy, set
deeply involved in two successful capital campaigns, and
the stage for a smooth transition.
dramatically increased the school’s endowment to more than $20 million. For several years, Nichols chaired the
In announcing her one-year appointment, Board of
Board of Trustees for ISACS, the premier accrediting body
Trustees Chair Mary Clare Pollard White said Nichols’
for independent schools in the Midwest.
became familiar with Woodlands seven years ago in a very special way. “Dr. Nichols chaired the visiting committee
“I am thrilled to join the Woodlands Academy of the
for the school’s ISACS [Independent Schools Association
Sacred Heart community – one I know to be vibrant,
of the Central States] accreditation,” Pollard White
dynamic and warm,” Nichols said. “The education the
said. “Our school and the mission of Sacred Heart left a
school provides to its students is exemplary, and I look
positive lasting impression on her, and she developed a
forward to diving in and supporting the great work
genuine affection for Woodlands.” Pollard White describes
of the faculty and staff, administration, and board of
Nichols as a highly successful educational leader who has
trustees, all on behalf of the students.”
worked in public, independent and Catholic schools. Steele, who served as Woodlands Academy’s head of Associate Head Christine Schmidt worked with Nichols
school since 2015, left at the end of the 2020-21 term
on the school’s 2014 accreditation. “I found her to
to become head of schools at Sacred Heart Schools on
be an astute, dedicated and talented leader,” Schmidt
Sheridan Road. Looking back, Steele said she is proud to
said. “The report she and her team put together was
have overseen a period of much growth and development
foundational for many of the improvements we made
at Woodlands Academy.
in the subsequent seven years. I am thrilled she will be leading us into Woodland Academy’s next chapter.”
With an eye firmly on the future, the Head of School Search Committee continues its work to find the next
From 2016-2021 Nichols served as head of school at
dynamic leader of Woodlands.
St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, a co-educational high 2021 | 13
