Northstar is thrilled to welcome Bethany Raffanello as our next Head of School, beginning July 1, 2025. After an extensive international search, Bethany stood out as the clear and unanimous choice of our Board of Directors—thanks to her compassionate leadership, deep commitment to inclusive education, and decades of experience supporting students with diverse learning needs.

“Bethany Raffanello emerged as the clear choice to lead Northstar into its next chapter,” said the Board of Directors in a joint statement. “Her professional expertise, warm and engaging personality, and alignment with Northstar’s mission made a lasting impression on every group she met during her campus visit.”

“I’ve been inspired by the passion and commitment I’ve seen across the Northstar community, and I am eager to listen, learn, and work alongside you as we build on the school’s strong foundation and move forward together,” said Bethany.

Bethany brings nearly 20 years of experience from The New England Center for Children (NECC), where she has worn many hats—from classroom teacher to Director of Student Administration. Her work has taken her across the globe, including time spent at NECC’s campus in Abu Dhabi, where she led early childhood and secondary programs and supported staff and families alike with a thoughtful, student-first approach. At every step, Bethany has championed excellence in special education and built strong, collaborative communities around her.

She holds an MBA from Quinnipiac University, a Master’s in Education from Simmons College, and a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from Drew University. She’s also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA), with specialized training in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western New England University.

Bethany will replace Crystal Trent, who has served as Northstar’s Head of School since 2017. Under her leadership, Northstar notably relocated to a new facility in Henrico County in 2022.

Bethany’s blend of warmth, wisdom, and vision makes her a perfect fit for the Northstar community. We can’t wait for our students, families, and staff to get to know her and begin this exciting new chapter together.