Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School Blog: Take Charge

In the CH-CH Admissions Office, one thing I often hear from families is that beginning the process of searching for the right school can be daunting and overwhelming. With so many schools out there, it’s hard to know where to begin. 

As the associate director of Admissions, one of the best parts of my work is being part of a vibrant school community. But, what I’ve come to love just as much is meeting so many families each year as they begin their search for the right-fit school. 

Ian MacPhail, CH-CH History Department Chair, Co-Director of Campus Life, and Head Boys' Lacrosse Coach shares his insights on student clubs, leadership opportunities, and the vibrant club culture at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall.

Even at a young age, I loved getting to shop for school supplies. Even though it meant that summer was coming to a close, there was always something so exciting about a fresh pair of pens and a shiny new binder! I’ll admit- not much has changed, but as I got older, I learned that it’s not all about the tools you have, but the strategies you use. 

On the heels of his win for a regional Heartland Emmy® Award in the category of Best Documentary, Topical, the Alumni Office had the chance to catch up with Ryan Gates ‘98, President & CEO at PANO Marketing. Ryan gave us the backstory to his award-winning film and all that brought him to this moment, a story that extends all the way back to CH-CH.

As Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall kicks-off the 2025-2026 school year, we are excited to welcome new members to our community. The new members of the faculty and staff have spent the beginning of the year in CH-CH's pre-sessions, meeting members of the community, and learning all about CH-CH's approach in and out of the classroom. We're excited to introduce you to CH-CH's newest faculty and staff:

At Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall (CH-CH), the intimate learning environment allows students to build meaningful relationships, take safe risks, and go on to college with confidence in who they are and what they want to accomplish. Last year, over 20 students in a senior class of 52 were engaged in curricular opportunities beyond the standard program, including independent studies, teaching assistantships, and college courses. The emphasis on personalized education resulted in remarkable outcomes: 52 students sent 404 applications to 201 colleges and universities, with impressive acceptance rates that speak to how well-prepared CH-CH students are for higher education.

Sara Masucci faced a daunting challenge this past summer: how to decorate her new office. There definitely needed to be shelving for her books, but more importantly, there needed to be seating. With an open-door policy that turns her office into a hangout for students, it was a crucial component of the space. But what kind of seating would be best?

My brain and my body were at war. I was too tired for where I was on the course. My muscles were working too hard for what they were producing. Each foot fall felt like crashing into sludge, and pulling my feet out for another step felt impossible. My lungs were on fire, heating my entire body to the point that I didn't notice the bite of early November wind across my cheeks. Even as I understood that my goal was out of reach, I pushed forward.

Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School celebrated the opening of The Landry Center on Saturday, May 31st, marking the completion of the largest capital campaign in the independent school's 197-year history.

The ribbon-cutting followed the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025, and drew alumni, parents, trustees, and community members to witness the unveiling of the School's newest academic building.

After a rainy morning, the clouds cleared, and the sun began to shine just as the Wilkins Hall bell began its 52 rings. The bell signals the 52 graduates of the Class of 2025 to begin their traditional walk over the hill to Morgan Lawn for the start of the School’s 197th Commencement ceremony.