Our Values

Five young women—Grace Fay Hooker, Carrie M. Smith, Clara M. Lyon, Dolly Glasser, and Carrie A. Tisdale—approached Brooks Military Academy in downtown Cleveland seeking educational opportunities. Their initiative sparked the establishment of afternoon classes for girls, leading to the creation of the Brooks School for Ladies, the foundation of Hathaway Brown.

Frances Fisher, a pioneering mathematician and the only female teacher at Brooks, purchased the school. She renamed it “Miss Fisher’s Home and Day School for Girls” and expanded both its curriculum and reputation. One of her students was Adella Prentiss Hughes, who later founded The Cleveland Orchestra.

The Brooks School for Ladies opened a dedicated space for girls above Chandler & Rudd’s grocery at 1194 Euclid Avenue, marking its first home separate from the military academy.

Upon Anne Hathaway Brown’s marriage, leadership passed to Mary Spencer, who preserved the school’s name, moved it to Euclid Avenue, and reintroduced science to the curriculum—strengthening its academic balance.

Anne Hathaway Brown took ownership of the school, renamed it after herself, and introduced traditions that have endured as hallmarks of the HB experience. She introduced the motto Non Scholae Sed Vitae Discimus (“We learn not for school but for life”), adopted brown and gold as school colors, and helped secure direct admissions for graduates to Vassar and Smith Colleges.

Teacher Alice Hanscom launched the Order of Willing Service (OWS), instilling a culture of community engagement. Students contributed funds for local charities, laying the foundation for HB’s enduring commitment to service learning.

With the help of prominent Cleveland philanthropist and civic leader Flora Stone Mather’s philanthropy, HB moved into a landmark building designed by Hubbell & Benes. This site symbolized permanence and elevated the school’s visibility in Cleveland.

Groundbreaking in 1926 led to HB’s move in 1927 to its current 16-acre campus on North Park Boulevard in Shaker Heights. Encouraged by the Van Sweringen brothers, this relocation offered space to expand and drew families to the suburb while keeping connections to Cleveland.

Following Head of School Cora Canfield’s death, Miss Raymond guided the school through years of growth, emphasizing collective responsibility with the unofficial motto: “Act for the Good of the Whole.” Her leadership established a balance of intellectual rigor and civic purpose.

H. William “Bill” Christ served as Head of School at Hathaway Brown from 1987 to 2016, during which time he expanded enrollment, strengthened the endowment, and oversaw major campus improvements. He is especially known for founding the Institute for 21st Century Education, which gave students real-world learning opportunities in fields ranging from science to civic engagement.

Coburn modernized HB through mid-century expansions and oversaw the development of the school library into a hub for active learning, later evolving into the James R. Stewart Learning Center and eventually today’s Martha Frohring Giesel Library.

Completed at a cost of $3.5 million, the 23,000-square-foot Primary Wing marked a significant expansion of HB’s campus. Designed to support the growing primary school, the addition introduced a curved façade that gracefully joined two of the school’s earliest buildings—the main classroom building and Raymond Hall—while preserving the architectural character of the original campus.

A decade later, the campus expanded again with a 62,000-square-foot, $18.2 million addition. The new facility housed a fine and performing arts complex, Upper School science laboratories, a dining hall, and Middle School classrooms. Designed around an enclosed courtyard, the addition also introduced spacious classrooms and a four-story, glass-enclosed atrium—conceived as HB’s own Public Square for gatherings and school-wide events.

Dr. Fran Bisselle has served as Hathaway Brown’s 14th Head of School since 2016, guiding the community through a period of growth and transformation. Under her leadership, HB has completed major campus renovations, expanded athletics and the arts, and strengthened its commitment to girls’ leadership and social-emotional learning. Recognized as a “Notable in Education Leadership” by Crain’s Cleveland Business, she is widely respected as a visionary and inspiring advocate for excellence in education.

The Adelaide Cobb Ward ’51 Academic Center, also known as the Classic Building, reopens following an extensive renovation that brings educational practices into the future for Upper School students

The thoughtfully renovated Primary School Building opens to the delight of students, families, and faculty.

The Pam and Steve Keefe Playground at the Barbara Mixon Park opens as a vibrant outdoor destination for play, exploration, and connection. Featuring modern play structures, green spaces, and inclusive design elements, the playground is a gathering spot for students of all ages. Its opening represents the school’s ongoing investment in health, wellness, and joyful learning experiences.