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 (TABS). TABS supports and advances prep boarding schools in the United States, Canada, and around the globe by partnering with school leaders to drive excellence, innovation, and collaboration so that every student thrives.
"It is an honor to be chosen to serve on the Board of Trustees for The Association of Boarding Schools," said Bell. "TABS is an important partner for Darlington, and our boarding program benefits greatly as a result of our membership. I am especially excited to serve on the board with Darlington alumnus Sean Atkins ('99, LD '15). Sean has established himself as a highly respected leader in the boarding school world."
Bell 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, Jack (’24) and Brent (’26).
Atkins ('99, LD '15) has served as the director of admissions and financial aid at Suffield Academy since 2018. He joined the faculty at Suffield Academy in 2010, serving as associate director of admissions, senior associate director of admissions and director of admissions before stepping into his current role. Following his graduation from Darlington, Atkins earned a bachelor's degree in American Cultural Studies from Bates College. He currently serves as a board member for Academy Hill School and served on the Admissions Leadership Council of the Enrollment Management Association for six years.
