The Trustees for the Foundation for the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (BLSYW) is proud to announce the appointment of Nicole Blair-Barzey as its new Head of School. A dedicated educational leader with a deep commitment to academic excellence, student empowerment, and equity in education, Blair-Barzey brings a wealth of experience in school leadership, instructional development, and charter school governance to The Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (BLSYW) a charter school operator in the Baltimore City Public School System.
With a career spanning over two decades, Blair-Barzey has served as a middle school principal, instructional leader, board member, and educational advocate, successfully implementing programs that enhance student achievement, teacher development, and school-wide culture. Most recently, she served as Principal of Meridian Public Charter Middle School in Washington, D.C., where she led initiatives that significantly improved student outcomes in literacy and mathematics while strengthening communication between staff, students, and families.
“As an educator and lifelong learner, I am deeply honored to step into the role of Head of School at such a purposeful and intentional environment that is BLSYW, where the development of future women leaders is at the heart of everything,” said Blair-Barzey. “I believe in the power of rigorous, student-centered education to transform lives, and I look forward to working with the students, staff, and families of BLSYW to build on its legacy of excellence, innovation, and leadership development.”
Blair-Barzey’s experience includes leading school improvement efforts, securing successful charter renewals, and coaching educators to enhance instructional practices. She has been instrumental in fostering environments that support social-emotional learning and equity, particularly for Black and Brown students. She has also played key roles in charter school expansion efforts, serving on the boards of South Shore Charter School and Merrick Academy Charter Public School.
Blair-Barzey was selected following an extensive national search and interview process led by BLSYW’s Board of Trustees, in collaboration with faculty, staff, families, and key stakeholders. The search committee sought a candidate who demonstrated a strong track record in school leadership, a deep commitment to educational equity, and a vision for the future of BLSYW. After careful consideration of numerous highly qualified applicants, Blair-Barzey emerged as the ideal choice to lead the school into its next chapter.
“Nicole’s leadership and passion for education make her the perfect fit for BLSYW,” said Maria Harris Tildon, chair of BLSYW’s Board of Trustees and vice president of government, community & economic partnerships for Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Her track record of success in school transformation and her commitment to empowering young women align perfectly with our mission. We are excited to welcome her and look forward to her leadership in shaping the next generation of leaders at BLSYW.”
“We were very pleased with the candidate pool and that Nicole emerged as the top choice for BLSYW. We are confident of the value she will bring to the school given her experience in urban education,” said search co-chairs Jennifer King Rice, vice president and provost at the University of Maryland, and Linda Jones, former managing partner, Gallagher Evelius & Jones, LLP.
As Head of School, Blair-Barzey will lead strategic, academic and operational initiatives at BLSYW, ensuring that students continue to receive a high-quality, college-preparatory education while fostering a culture of leadership, empowerment, and excellence.
Interim Head of School Carol Santos will remain in her role at BLSYW through June, providing support during the transition. Starting in May, Ms. Blair-Barzey will be on campus regularly to familiarize herself with the school and ensure a smooth leadership transition before officially stepping into the role on July 1.
The Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (BLSYW) is an all-girls, college-preparatory public charter school serving young women residing in Baltimore since 2009. Through academics and whole girl wellness, BLSYW students are taught to develop a strong sense of self, sisterhood, compassion and good decision-making. The school is an affiliate of the Student Leadership Network and a member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools. For more information, visit blsyw.org.
