Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Georgia
Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Rome, GA
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Brent Bell LD’14

Head of School

Brent was named Darlington’s 11th head of school in 2014. With two decades of experience in education, he holds a B.A. in History from the University of Richmond and an M.S. in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to his work here, Brent was head of Upper School at Randolph School in Huntsville, Ala. He also served previously as assistant headmaster and dean of academic affairs at Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, Va., where he held the E. Craig Wall Family Mastership. He and his wife, Andrea, have three children, Charlie (’22), Jack (’24) and Brent (’26).

Contact Information
College Education
B.A. University of Richmond
MSEd Virginia Commonwealth University

Episode 152: Department Head Spotlight: Melissa Smyly

March 7, 2024
In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with English Department Head Melissa Smyly about what English education looks like at Darlington, her career journey and her extracurricular involvement on campus.

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Episode 142: Year in Review

December 28, 2023
In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with Dean of Student Life Brant Evans, Director of Athletics Eddie Guth and Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell. Together, they recap the 2023 calendar year, sharing accomplishments within their departments, noteworthy moments and favorite memories from the year at Darlington. 

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Episode 134: Department Head Spotlight: Owen Kinney

November 2, 2023
In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with Science Department Head Owen Kinney about his history at Darlington, his goals as department head and much more. This is the first in a new series highlighting each of Darlington's department heads.

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Episode 121: Darlington Tigers Football Preview

August 3, 2023
In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with Head Football Coach Wayne Groves and seniors Jack Chandler, Connor Ellison and Mackay Rush about the Darlington Tigers' upcoming football season. They discuss Coach Groves' coaching philosophy, how the team has been preparing, their goals for the season and what they're most excited about. 

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Bell, Atkins ('99, LD '15) named to TABS Board of Trustees

June 28, 2023
Head of School Brent Bell and alumnus Sean Atkins ('99, LD '15) have been named to the Board of Trustees of The Association of Boarding Schools.

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Episode 109: Reflecting on the Class of 2023

May 11, 2023
In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell reflects on the Class of 2023 with Upper School Director Chad Woods, Dean of College Guidance Ivy Brewer, Student Body President Collin Rego ('23) and Honor Council President Anaya Desai ('23). They discuss the senior class's academic, athletic and artistic achievements, as well as some of their most memorable moments as Darlington students.

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Episode 97: Checking in with College Athletes

February 16, 2023
In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with several Darlington alumni who have gone on to successful collegiate athletic careers. He chats with Trinity Andrews ('21) of Oregon State University gymnastics, Cade Brock ('20) of the University of Georgia football team and Russell Shealy ('18), a recent graduate of Syracuse University and member of the men's soccer team. They share about their experiences as Division I athletes and how Darlington prepared them for that experience. 

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Remembering Distinguished Alumna Villa Hizer ('66T, LD '12)

Upper School | Brent Bell LD'14, February 9, 2023
It is with sadness that I share news of the passing of Distinguished Alumna Villa (Sulzbacher) Hizer (’66T, LD ’12) on Monday. Ms. Hizer made a lasting impact on Darlington and this community, and set the example of what it means to give to the greater good. 

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Episode 90: Year in Review

December 29, 2022
In this episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with academic department heads Cristy Baldwin (world languages), Brian Inman (history), Owen Kinney (science), Al Shorey (math) and Melissa Smyly (English). Together, they recap the 2022 calendar year, sharing accomplishments and noteworthy moments from within their departments, their extracurricular activities, and their own personal research and professional development. 

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Episode 85: Reflections on Thankfulness

November 24, 2022
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Head of School Brent Bell talks with several longtime members of the Darlington Community about their reflections on thankfulness. He is joined by History Department Chair Brian Inman, Chief Advancement Officer Julie Lucas ('97), senior day student Belle Brooks, senior boarding student Noah Morris and seventh-grader Siya Patel. Each guest shares what they're thankful for in many different areas of their lives, but especially why they're thankful for the Darlington Community and what makes it special to them.

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