Head of School

Welcome to The Hewitt School

Hewitt’s motto--“By Faith and Courage”--is evident in everything we do. Where most high-achieving girls are socialized to be perfect and play it safe, Hewitt girls learn to have faith in themselves and have the courage to take risks and bounce back from failures. Where most high-achieving girls are asked to focus exclusively on curating the perfect resume, the Hewitt girl is hard at work on her inner resume as she achieves academically. I invite you to see what makes Hewitt such a distinctive place for girls and young women to learn and grow into a world of expanding opportunity, and how Hewitt is empowering the next generation of women leaders, one at a time--from the inside out.

A Message From Our Head of School
About Dr. Zaccara

A Message From Our Head of School

Jennifer wears a red blouse & pearl necklace. She has straight blonde hair & smiles at the camera.

Welcome to The Hewitt School!

I could not be more excited to be leading our wonderful school in one of the greatest cities in the world! From the moment that I first walked through the doors of Hewitt, I felt the students’ energy around learning, their excitement to ask questions and share ideas, and the supportive atmosphere that is only possible when families, faculty, and staff partner around the shared goal of educating girls and young women. These are just some of the reasons why I said yes to Hewitt, and why you should, too.

There are many distinguishing features of a Hewitt education, including our high academic standards, extraordinary college acceptances, expert educators who know and challenge every student, and warm and genuinely kind community of belonging. At Hewitt, we rely on high quality, data-driven feedback to provide the best learning environment for girls, and our Center for Girls’ Research and Leadership provides our entire community with resources to prepare girls for success at school and in the workplace.

Additional trademarks of Hewitt’s K-12 program include:

Small classes led by passionate educators who wholeheartedly believe in our mission to inspire girls and young women to become game changers and ethical leaders who forge an equitable, sustainable, and joyous future.
A focus on developing independence – in learning, innovation, and self-management. Beginning in lower and middle school, Hewitt students learn how to be their own best advocates.
Opportunities for girls and young women to create their own learning pathways. Our unique eighth grade capstone projects and upper school Extended Inquiry (EI) program differentiate Hewitt students in the college process and help them determine what they want to study after graduation.
An ever-expanding, state-of-the-art STEM program that inspires our graduates to pursue college majors and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
A performing and visual arts program that builds a girl’s creativity, confidence, and voice through dance, theater, design, engineering, ceramics, drawing, and painting.

As a head of school who is dedicated to educating girls in a rapidly changing and dynamic world, I am proud to call Hewitt home. I invite you to come visit us and experience the academic excellence, support, connection, and tangible excitement that are part of the daily life of our school. Our admissions team is eager to welcome you and your family, and I look forward to connecting with you on campus soon.

Warmly,

A signature reading "Jennifer L. Zaccara"

Dr. Jennifer L. Zaccara
Head of School

About Dr. Zaccara

Dr. Jennifer Zaccara’s tenure as Hewitt’s ninth head of school began in July 2025. Reflecting on her appointment, Dr. Zaccara said, “I am honored to step into the role of head of school at The Hewitt School. From the moment I arrived at Hewitt, I felt the energy across the school’s campus and experienced a deep connection and a sense of coming home. Hewitt has both embraced its proud history and turned deliberately toward the excitement of a rapidly changing world in order to prepare girls and young women to lead ethically and with joy. I look forward to working with an outstanding administrative team and dedicated community of families and faculty to support the growth of every Hewitt girl. Together, with faith and courage, we will embrace the bright future of a great school.”

Prior to joining The Hewitt School, Dr. Zaccara served as head of school at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, Vermont. From 2013 to 2017, she was associate head of school at The Nightingale-Bamford School in New York City. She has also served as associate dean of faculty at The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut. Jennifer began her career teaching English at several distinguished independent schools, including the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, Connecticut; Rye Country Day School in Rye, New York; and The Winsor School in Boston, Massachusetts. She has also taught in higher education, serving as a lecturer in the English Department at The University of Connecticut in Storrs and as a visiting assistant professor of English, American Studies, and Rhetoric and Writing at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.

Dr. Zaccara has been a board member of the Association of Independent Schools In New England (AISNE) since 2021, served as a board member of the Independent Schools Association of Northern New England (ISANNE) from 2019-2021, and was recently inducted into the Heads and Principals Association. She holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from Trinity College, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Her son Bryce is an attorney in Denver and her son Keefe is a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy. She also has two dogs, a red lab named Copperfield and a red golden named Brontë.