Bullis Community Update: April 14, 2026

Dear Bullis Community,

It’s a very British thing to talk about the weather, and I am conscious that I seem to start too many letters with some inane comments about the current climate. Well, here I go again; it’s hot, and getting hotter. Yet last week, I was wearing gloves and a winter coat at the carpool. What’s happening? Winter to summer? Where did spring go? Let’s hope the gloves and hat have been consigned to the basement for 8 months or so. Moving on…

Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid:

I want to let you know that Philip Weisgold, our current Assistant Upper School Head and Co-Director of College Counseling, has accepted my offer to become our next Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid.

We undertook a national search and brought three finalists to campus last week. Philip was the overwhelming choice of those who interviewed the candidates. While Philip is not (formally) involved in admissions work right now, he spent 5 years in admissions while working at Muhlenberg College, his alma mater. Philip also has a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and wrote his thesis on:

Qualitative Research: “Measuring Mission-Appropriateness in Independent School Admission”; includes synthesis of data from 94 independent school enrollment management offices and actionable recommendations specific to Bullis’s admission practices.

Beyond these qualifications, Philip is a consummate storyteller, is incredibly organized and data-driven, and has the competitive edge that is necessary to lead in the admissions world. I believe he will be a tremendous success in this critical position.

Next year, Philip will keep the seniors (current juniors) he has been assigned to with regard to college counseling–this will be his final group.

Director of College Counseling:

As Philip steps away from his role of Co-Director of College Counseling, I am delighted to announce that Valerie Miller (currently Co-Director of College Counseling) has accepted my offer to be our sole Director of College Counseling. Val and Philip have been an incredible team and have overseen three years of extraordinary college admissions, and this year promises to be just as good. Valerie, who has five years of experience in undergraduate enrollment paired with nine years in Bullis’s College Counseling department, will continue leading our excellent team of talented college counselors while building on that legacy. As many of you know, Valerie is a trusted and deeply respected presence in our community, known for her warmth, sound judgment, and ability to connect with students and families in meaningful ways; she brings a rare combination of experience, empathy, and clear-eyed guidance that elevates the entire program.

Finally, we will be hiring another full-time college counselor and reducing the already low caseload of each college counselor.

Speaking of college counseling, I look forward to writing to you after May 1, when this year’s seniors will have made their college decisions.

Varsity Girls Basketball:

While the basketball season may seem eons ago, our girls' varsity team continued the success they have had in recent years, with an extraordinary season. Not only did they win the ISL league championship, the Maryland state championship (beating the number 1-ranked team in the nation), but they also recently played in the Chipotle National Championships in Indianapolis and reached the final. While they didn’t bring home the national title, they played incredibly well and ended the season ranked fifth in the nation–an amazing achievement. Please join me in congratulating these amazing young women and their coaches, Justin Leith, Keith Wang, Courtney Mooney, and Raina Barber.

Alumni Affairs:

Last Thursday, our Director of Institutional Advancement, Sharon Kessler, our communications associate, Morgan Cohen (Bullis class of 2017), and I attended a Bullis alumni event in New York City. We had 55 alums attend the event, and we have another one in Bethesda next week–we anticipate even higher numbers. In recent years, we have been working hard to facilitate a professional network for our alumni. The potential to support our alumni through these networking opportunities is significant, and in an era when it is increasingly difficult for young professional people to make their way, I see this as an important added value of a Bullis education and diploma. We intend to grow these efforts in the coming years.

Very Important Enrollment Contract Reminder - May 1:

I do want to remind everyone that the deadline for withdrawing from an enrollment contract is May 1. After this date, the full tuition for the 2026-2027 school year becomes payable. Obviously, we very much hope that no one will withdraw, but if you need to, please do so before May 1. I am uncomfortable sending these somewhat robust reminders, but I prefer families to be informed and intentional about their enrollment at Bullis.

After today, we have a mere 37 school days left, but it may be the busiest time of year. Tennis, softball, golf, baseball, track and field, and lacrosse are all in full swing. The spring musical, “Alice By Heart,” is the weekend of April 24th and 25th. Finally, the senior service trips are approaching, as are AP exams, and May 21 will mark the graduation of our Class of 2026!

I look forward to seeing you at these events and others.

Warmly,

Christian G. Sullivan
Head of School