Spotlight On: Gary Neils, Head of School, The Ellis School

Key points:

• Ellis is sharpening its value proposition by positioning all-girls education as a proven advantage in STEM, leadership, and college outcomes.

• Strategic investments in facilities, staffing, and professional development are strengthening Ellis’s competitive position.

• New academic academies and regional partnerships are differentiating students and deepening community engagement.

February 2026 — Invest: sat down with Gary Neils, head of school at The Ellis School, an independent, all-girls, college-prep school in Pittsburgh, to learn about the strategic investments differentiating them from a competitive landscape. “We’re working to distinguish Ellis not just as the best all-girls school but also as one of the top schools in the region.”

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What initial goals have you set for The Ellis School, and how do you plan to guide the school in the year ahead?

The Ellis School has a proud 110-year tradition of empowering young women for leadership roles and helping them gain entry into top colleges across the U.S.  Our reputation for excellence is well-earned, but we recognize the need to adapt in a more competitive market with shifting demographics. The number of school-age children is decreasing, tightening the independent school landscape. Thus, while being an all-girls school remains a powerful narrative, we must clearly articulate its significance. 

After delving into research on all-girls education, the evidence is compelling. For instance, alumnae from all-girls schools are six times more likely to pursue STEM careers than their co-ed counterparts. My goal is to communicate these benefits clearly, positioning Ellis not only as the leading all-girls school but as a top-tier institution overall. 

We’re also enhancing staffing and facilities, thanks to strong support from the board. We’re launching a campaign to fund essential upgrades, making these top priorities for the coming years.

What trends are you seeing in girls’ education and independent K-12 schools, and how is Ellis adapting to them?

In the independent school sector, demographic shifts and economic uncertainties are creating challenges. Schools with robust endowments and resources are better positioned to adapt, often boasting strong enrollment and waitlists. In contrast, schools with limited resources struggle to meet enrollment goals. 

Fortunately, Ellis is well-endowed, boasting one of Pennsylvania’s highest endowments per student. Our board is now strategically utilizing these resources to enhance the school rather than just preserving them for emergencies. Within my first three months, we’ve made key staffing additions and invested in programming to align with evolving trends.

How are you positioning Ellis to recruit, develop, and retain top faculty and staff, especially in a competitive market like Pittsburgh?

The national teacher shortage is a well-known issue, shrinking the pool of top-tier teaching talent. To remain competitive, we offer not only strong salaries but also excellent benefits, particularly in healthcare—an increasingly significant concern. 

We have doubled our investment in professional development to help our teachers thrive and grow.  As a former executive director of Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), I know the importance of finding strong educators. Many education majors today rank in the lower half of their high school classes, unlike past generations of idealistic educators. So, when independent school graduates express an interest in teaching, it’s thrilling.

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Can you tell us more about current community engagement and any new collaborations you hope to build?

Ellis is preparing to announce the development of three academies that will enable our girls to name areas of concentration in their 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years, which will result in their receiving a Certificate of Excellence at Graduation. The three academies are the Arts Academy, the Humanities Academy and the STEM Academy. The launch of these Ellis Academies will not only differentiate the School, but also students within the school, thus enabling them to stand out in the college application process. 

The Academies will draw upon the resources of the region. The program will culminate with a Senior Project which will be in the topic of their choice within their chosen Academy.  Ellis is strategically located near Google, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pittsburgh, providing ample opportunities for collaboration. 

Our art teacher recently led a project involving public art initiatives, and students have engaged with local parks and events. Our location in Pittsburgh truly allows us to integrate city resources into our educational approach. 

As you look ahead, what are your top priorities?

The top priority is ensuring our students understand the unique advantages of an all-girls education, empowering them to excel beyond their co-ed peers. We’re focusing on programmatic differentiation and introducing new, exciting programs relevant to today’s students while strengthening our competitive lower and middle school offerings.

My focus is now entirely on Ellis, aiming to make it the best it can be.

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