Meet Head of School Lise Charlier


Born and raised in Haiti, Head of School Lise Charlier was educated in the Haitian, French, and American educational systems. Her father, Gérard Frédérique, was a Haitian ophthalmologist and her mother, Esther Eshelman, was a Mennonite nurse from a Pennsylvania farming family. 

In her time at CSW, Lise has proven herself to be a capable and accomplished educator, who leads with intellect, patience, positivity, and drive. Her 25+ years of experience as a teacher and administrator is evident in her ability to build relationships, problem-solve, and innovate with creativity and confidence.

Prior to CSW, Lise served as director of studies and strategic initiatives at Severn School in Severna Park, Maryland. Before this role at Severn, Lise was upper school assistant principal at Friends School of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland. She has served on the board of trustees for Green Street Academy, the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS), the Cowles Charitable Trust, and most recently the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE).

She holds an MS in education from Johns Hopkins University and a BS from Georgetown University. 

Follow Along with Lise's Lens

List of 20 news stories.

  • Lise's Lens: May 25, 2023

    Lise laments the Safer oil tanker situation off the coast of Yemen, shares a reminder about school safety, and looks back on the incredible life and career of Tina Turner.
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  • Lise's Lens: May 18, 2023

    Lise attends a curated book “tasting,” reflects on the first annual CE Festival of Giving, and enjoys the creativity exhibited by our students with their original BookTok videos! 
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  • Lise's Lens: May 11, 2023

    Lise reads about Boston’s “Little Syria” neighborhood, considers the paradox of springtime in schools, and enjoys a student jazz performance at the Weston Council on Aging.  
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  • Lise's Lens: May 4, 2023

    Lise considers the importance of design on school campuses and offers reflections on Reunion Weekend and this week’s visit with Mitchell and Patsy Rembert and Pulitzer Prize-winner Erin I. Kelly.
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  • Lise's Lens: April 27, 2023

    Lise reads up on Utah's proposed social media laws and shares the recording of the Academic Office's recent information session on "Progressive Ed in the Age of AI."
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  • Lise's Lens: April 20, 2023

    April 22 is Earth Day! In this sustainability-themed edition, Lise shares an article about “clean charging,” recaps Wednesday’s Earth Day programming, and shares some recommended documentaries to watch in observation of this important annual event. 
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  • Lise's Lens: April 13, 2023

    Lise observes Black Maternal Health Week, reflects on the generosity displayed for this week’s Day of Giving, and — looking ahead to next week’s Boston Marathon — considers the pressures faced by female athletes.
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  • Lise's Lens: April 6, 2023

    Lise reads a profile of journalist Audie Cornish, considers the concept of the Human Library, and listens to a podcast with a rising star alum — who mentions CSW!
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  • Lise's Lens: March 30, 2023

    This week, in lieu of my usual Lise’s Lens, I am calling on all of us to pause and think about the recent school shooting in Nashville, TN, and the ever-growing number of victims of gun violence in the United States. Perhaps it’s time we each make a decision about how much we are willing to work on this issue and find a solution.
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  • Lise's Lens: March 23, 2023

    Lise contemplates the supposed “end of the English major,” reflects on her recent trip to California, and considers the definition of gender in the context of historically gendered educational institutions. 
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  • Lise's Lens: March 2, 2023

    Lise writes about representation at the Oscars, a new novel by a CSW staff member, and the return of our students from their Mod abroad in France. 
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  • Lise's Lens: February 23, 2023

    Lise reads an archival article on the Eichmann trial, considers the scandal around the AP African American Studies program, and celebrates a huge win for the Haitian Women’s National Soccer Team.
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  • Lise's Lens: February 16, 2023

    Lise reads a Globe article on the short-lived Sidetrack educational integration program (look for the CSW connection!), considers the history behind the YUM Lab, and listens to a firsthand account of a Panamanian growing up through the construction of the Panama Canal.
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  • Lise's Lens: February 9, 2023

    This week, Lise reads up on ChatGBT, considers ways we can help those impacted by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and listens to the astounding vocals of Opera unMet. 


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  • Lise's Lens: February 2, 2023

     Lise reflects on the power of Elie Wiesel’s book “Night,” considers the complexity of being a teenager today, shares some genre-bending music, and celebrates CSW’s Wilderness Program. 
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  • Lise's Lens: January 26, 2023

    Lise reflects on changemakers in classical music, considers small decisions with big sustainability impact, celebrates Rock/{Pop and thinks about what it means to be part of a creative community.  

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  • Lise's Lens: January 19, 2023

    Lise reflects on a new view into a 40-year-old short story by Toni Morrison, thinks about the village that is CSW, shares a podcast from the folks who brought us the new Embrace memorial, and talks about a virtual visit to campus by an internationally-known graffiti artist. 
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  • Lise's Lens: January 12, 2023

    Lise reflects on this week’s powerful assembly presentation, considers reframing the concept of New Year’s resolutions, and spotlights two artists offering new perspectives on traditional concepts. 

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  • Lise's Lens: January 5, 2023

    Lise reflects on the power of relationships, finding happiness, and Julia Child!
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  • A special holiday message from Lise

     
    This is my final Lise’s Lens of 2022, and I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a holiday break filled with peace and joy. It’s been a busy few months here on campus, and I know the holiday season can be hectic as well (albeit in a different way). Amidst the travel, gathering, shopping, and all the other ways we mark this time of year, I hope you can create a few moments of quiet, finding some time for yourself to reflect on 2022 and dream about 2023. 

    All my best from my family to yours!
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Office of the Head of School

45 Georgian Road
Weston, MA 02493
Tel. 781-642-8612

Lise Charlier
Head of School

Sherrill Bounnell
Assistant to the Head of School
"Together we will guarantee that CSW remains an extraordinary school — a place where young people have the time and space to grow into the people that they want to be, in an environment that allows them to know and appreciate themselves and others, where they can ask questions freely and fully, engage in intellectual pursuit, and be kind and contributing members of society who seek social justice locally and globally."

Head of School Lise Charlier

The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.