Elite Tacoma-area private school looks to move on from recent turmoil with

Charles Wright Academy has tapped Rachel Rippl to lead the elite Tacoma-area private school, elevating her from the interim head role she had served in since fall.

Rippl became acting head of school in October following the unexpected death of her predecessor, Christopher A. Gorycki. She was appointed by the academy’s board to permanently assume the job, the school announced Friday.

“For many years, I’ve learned from the educators and leaders who have gone before me. Each one of them has helped anchor the belief that we are stronger together,” Rippl said in a statement. “As we center ourselves on our mission, vision, and values, it provides the opportunity to engage in fearless inquiry to question, reflect, and grow into an even stronger institution that leads the next generation into the future with confidence.”

Charles Wright Academy has faced recent upheaval. Former Head of School Susan Rice stepped down in August after four years at the school amid allegations of a toxic work environment and high turnover rates among staff, The News Tribune previously reported.

Gorycki, 61, was selected to serve for two years as the interim head of school in August. He died from diabetic ketoacidosis on Oct. 28, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office determined.

Rippl, who was chosen in August as interim director of the academy’s middle and upper schools, was named the acting head of school after Gorycki’s death.

Now the head of school, Rippl’s appointment followed what the academy said Friday had been extensive outreach to the school’s community, including a survey of families, faculty, staff and alumni.

“An unprecedented 94% of survey respondents feel that Rachel has the ability to be a strong Head of School and that 100% of faculty and staff respondents feel the same is a real testament to her character and successful leadership over the past two decades at CWA,” board member Emily Happy said in a statement. “Rachel is known for digging in with a smile, and we are excited to see her expertise and insightful innovation lead us into the future.”

Ripple joined the academy’s faculty in 2006, having served as an English teacher, English department co-chair and middle school director, the school said.

Charles Wright Academy, which has a liberal-arts focus, teaches more than 550 students in preschool through 12th grade. Tuition ranges between $27,000 and $36,000 depending on grade year, according to the academy’s website.

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