Georgetown Hill’s beloved founder, Ellen Cromwell, passed away on March 15, 2025. Ellen, considered the matriarch of Georgetown Hill, was a guiding force whose commitment to children and families shaped the foundation of our school community.
To her core, Ellen represented all that is magical about early childhood education—the joy of seeing children’s personalities develop, the messy art of running a classroom, the spontaneity of impromptu learning experiences, and the fervent belief that families need trusted partners in their parenting journeys. She was an education trailblazer, an aspirational teacher, and a cherished friend.
Ellen may never have imagined that the elementary school basement she leased over four decades ago would become the bustling, multi-site operation that is Georgetown Hill today. But those of us within GHES know that our growth and vitality are a direct result of Ellen’s dedication to children, her tenacity, and the core values that she has instilled in us all. The entire Georgetown Hill community mourns Ellen alongside her children and grandchildren who are woven into the fabric of our school and its history.
We will continue to honor Ellen’s legacy by keeping children—their joy, their playfulness, their curiosity, and their wonder—as the motivation for our work each day.
