OUR TEAM

Our faculty are lifelong learners who love what they teach. They are subject-matter experts who bring real-world research, industry, and advanced academic experience into the classroom. Many have taught at the collegiate level and have conducted original research, allowing students to engage deeply with complex ideas well beyond typical grade-level expectations. Fifty-three percent of our faculty hold advanced degrees, 29% with PhDs.

Mr. Ryan Heitz
Co-Founder & ​Head of School
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​Math, Physics, Computer Science and Engineering

M.S., Atmospheric Science
University of Virginia
​
B.S., Environmental Science
​University of Virginia

Ms. Juliana Heitz
​Co-Founder & Asst. Head of School​

Third Grade
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​B.S., Economics, B.S. Management Science, Information Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

​High School Economics Certificate Virginia Council, Economics Education 

Ms. Liz Crowder
Director of ​Admission & College Counseling

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M.Ed., Educational Leadership
​Vanderbilt University

Graduate Certificate: College Admissions & Career Counseling
University of California - Berkeley

B.S., Political Science
​James Madison University

Ms. Sheri Hicks
​School Counselor

Community

M.A., K-12 School Counseling
Marymount University
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​B.S., Psychology
​George Mason University

Ms. Rochelle Gibson

Administration & Health

Ms. Lendys Bonacci

Spanish
​

Bachelor in Business Management
Universidad Fermin Toro, Venezuela

Dr. Sarah Ciupek

Biology, Chemistry, Drama, Music
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Ph.D., Neuroscience
Baylor College of Medicine
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B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
​University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Dr. Alexandr Draganov

Post-AP Math

Ph.D., Electrical Engineering
​Stanford University​
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M.S., Theoretical Physics,
​Kyiv University

Ms. Lydia Gullicksen

MIddle & Upper School English

M.F.A, Creative Writing
Concordia University

B.A., Business, English & Creative Writing
Sweet Briar College

Mr. Andrew Hurley
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​Lower & Middle School: English, Drama

​B.A., Literary Fiction
George Mason University
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A.A., Acting, Musical Theater, & Performance, American Musical and Dramatic Academy

Ms. Alexa Remirez-Greenwood

Math, Computer Science, Engineering

​B.S., Mechanical Engineering
​University of Michigan

Dr. Aditya Vinod
​

Math, Computer Science, Engineering

Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering
University of Texas - Austin

B. Tech, Mechanical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

Ms. Amanda Johns

​Lower Elementary, Earth Science

​B.A., Geography
​George Mason University​

Mr. Allan Michaels

Lower & Middle School Math

B.S., Physics
Mary Washington University

Middle School Math & ​Middle School Science Teaching Certificates,
Old Dominion University

Mr. Tyler Schell

​Lower & Middle School History & PE

B.A., History, ​St. Peter's University

Dr. Albert Thompson

Upper School History

Ph.D., ​United States History
Howard University

M.A., Military History,
Norwich University
​
B.A., Government,
​Oral Roberts University

Dr. David Winogradoff

Math, Physics, Computer Science

​Ph.D., Chemical Physics
University of Maryland - College Park

B.S. Mathematics
​Haverford College

Mr. William Wolfman
​Lower and Middle School: Art, Lower School Engineering

B.F.A. Massachusetts College of Art & Design
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