Head of School

Nicole Hood, PhD

A highly respected academic leader and educator, Nicole Hood joined the AFS community as Head of School in 2024, after more than twenty years of teaching and leadership in both the independent school world and in higher education. She is the 10th Head of School at AFS in the modern era.

Nicole comes to AFS having most recently served as the Upper School Director at The Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, MD, where her tenure was distinguished by her efforts to ensure that every student has equitable access to all elements of the school program. A dedicated teacher and lifelong learner, Nicole’s prior experience includes teaching appointments at Howard University, Spelman College, and Georgia State University. Her background as a teacher and administrator evidences her commitment to building and sustaining strong school communities as well as advancing equity and justice.

Nicole earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Michigan. Nicole and her husband Kevin have two daughters, and have recently settled in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. She is excited to make AFS her school home.