Hall ready to lead Lakehill into the future

By Jacqui Nickell

Board of Directors Chair Colleen McCall announced on December 7 the appointment of Art Hall as Lakehill Preparatory School’s sixth head of school. Hall’s tenure will begin on July 1, the 50th year of the school. He will succeed current Head of School Roger Perry, who has served in that capacity for 38 years. 

“After an extensive nationwide search process and multi-day interviews on campus with faculty, students, parents, alumni, administrators and the directors, the search committee presented Art Hall as its nominee to serve as the next Head of School for Lakehill,” said Colleen McCall, Lakehill board of directors chair. “The Board of Directors unanimously accepted the Committee’s recommendation, recognizing that Art brings an enthusiasm for education, a love of community, a passion for progress and a respect for tradition that makes him uniquely suited to lead our school into its next 50 years. Art’s impressive resume, his personal warmth and approachability, his commitment to inclusiveness and his vision for identifying Lakehill’s historic strengths and utilizing those to find promising opportunities for growth make him an ideal choice to follow Roger Perry in shepherding our community in the coming years.” 

A dedicated leader and educator with experience at four excellent independent schools, Hall has had a broad and meaningful engagement in independent school life. He brings a deep understanding of the local culture, having spent 15 years in Dallas during his distinguished career. Hall will join Lakehill from his role as Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School at Tower Hill, a PreK-12 college prep school located in Wilmington, Delaware since 2017. 

His professional journey began as a computer specialist at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, California. He moved to Dallas in 1999 and served in various roles of increased responsibility at Greenhill School, including teaching computer science and history classes, coaching girls’ varsity basketball, as Upper School Dean and Director of Student Activities, and concluding with his role as Director of Equity and Inclusion and Global Programs. In 2014, Art departed Greenhill for Friends’ Central School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he served as Upper School Principal. 

“The role of the Search Committee was to recommend a Head of School who could lead Lakehill with a vision for the future while maintaining a firm grasp on our history, traditions and culture,” said Search Committee Chair James Perry. 

“After meeting with a diverse group of highly qualified candidates, we are enthusiastic about Art’s ability to lead Lakehill in today’s dynamic educational environment and to prepare our students for the collegiate and career opportunities of tomorrow. We are excited that Art and his family will be joining us.” 

Hall holds two B.A. degrees in political science and history from UCLA and earned a master’s in education from Southern Methodist University. He has a passion for working with students and has a strong history of enhancing the educational and life experience of students of color. Hall has strong communication and collaboration skills. He is a founding member of the Straight A’s Podcast, which examines independent school life from the lens of prospective families, students and teachers. 

“I am excited and so grateful to be returning to Dallas to lead and collaborate with the esteemed faculty, leadership team, and Board of Directors of Lakehill,” Hall said. “Additionally, I am honored to lead the Lakehill family into the next 50 years of outstanding educational excellence and to build upon the timeless and enduring values that define the School. I am energized to further Lakehill’s profile as a premier independent school for the city of Dallas.” 

“During our interview time, Paula and I were so impressed with each group we spent time meeting. The students, faculty, staff and parents all greeted us with the Dallas warmth we remember so fondly. As our time on campus went by, we were more and more convinced that the Lakehill family and culture proved to be an exceptional match for Paula, Kennedy, Mara and me.” 

Hall was raised in Riverside, California, just outside of Los Angeles. His wife, Paula, a native of Pittsburgh, attended Clarion University in Pennsylvania where she earned a B.A. in early childhood/elementary education. She has taught lower school, coached and lead volunteer efforts at various schools throughout their family’s journey. 

They have three children, an adult son who teaches school in Garland, Texas, and two daughters who will enter Lakehill as eighth and seventh graders in the upcoming school year. The Halls look forward to their return to Dallas where they will enthusiastically join the Lakehill community.