Good Hope Country Day School will welcome alumnus Ali “Al” Morgan as its new head of school, bringing home an accomplished educator and consultant whose career has spanned independent schools, higher education and organizational leadership.
“I’m back!” Morgan said during a recent appearance on WTJX’s “Analyze This” with host Neville James.
A graduate of Good Hope School’s Class of 1993, Morgan describes himself as a “proud native son of St. Croix.” His family roots run deep in Crucian soil. His grandfather, Alexander Knight, was born on St. Croix shortly after the Virgin Islands were purchased by the United States from Denmark in 1917. Morgan was raised on the island and describes St. Croix as “home in every way.”
Morgan said his love of the arts and theater was nurtured during his years at Good Hope.
“And that love of the arts and of theater came from Good Hope,” he said. “Both Good Hope and Country Day have had a long, strong tradition of the arts.”
After graduating from Good Hope, Morgan attended Southern Methodist University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater. He later completed a Master of Science degree in higher education administration at Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York.
In the years that followed, Morgan built a career in education that has included leadership roles in PreK-12 schools and postsecondary institutions.
After serving as director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Rye Country Day School in Westchester, New York, from 2013 to 2024, Morgan founded ALKM Consulting. The firm partners with schools and organizations across the country to strengthen leadership through empathy, inclusive recruitment and retention, social-emotional learning and cultural competency.
His decision to return to St. Croix was motivated in part by the opportunity to give back to the school and the community that helped shape him.
“I see a chance to build on Good Hope Country Day School’s commitment to academic excellence and global citizenship, while also strengthening its role as a hub for community connection on St. Croix,” Morgan said.
According to his professional biography, Morgan’s work focuses on creating systems that align vision with practice, whether through developing DEI-infused enrollment strategies, leading executive coaching programs or facilitating workshops on community engagement and crisis management.
During his tenure at Rye Country Day School, he partnered with admissions, curriculum and advancement leaders to ensure inclusive practices and develop mentoring programs that support both students and employees of color.
For outgoing interim Head of School Bill Sinfield, who helped guide the search process, Morgan stood out as the ideal candidate.
“The fact that he was coming home and he was bringing not only his experience and his knowledge from all his work in independent schools, but that he was bringing it back to a place that he understands and that he loves, that was essential,” Sinfield said. “He has roots here and those roots are really important to this community and to the school community and so, for me, he was the perfect choice for the role.”
Morgan assumes leadership of the school at a time of significant academic growth.
In 2023, Good Hope Country Day School became an accredited Cambridge International School and began implementing the Cambridge curriculum framework throughout its programs. Cambridge’s rigorous academic standards are recognized by universities and employers worldwide and are considered a global benchmark in education.
Members of the school’s Class of 2026, which recently celebrated graduation at Island Center, achieved new milestones in the continued expansion of Cambridge programming. Eleven seniors graduated with the prestigious Advanced International Certificate of Education diploma.
The school’s arts programs also continue to thrive. Following the success of the spring musical “Hadestown,” community members can likely expect continued growth in the drama program given Morgan’s extensive experience with and commitment to theater arts.
Looking ahead, Morgan said he envisions a future that supports students throughout every stage of their educational experience.
“I see extraordinary opportunities to create a cohesive and enriching experience for students at every stage of their educational journey, celebrating their growth from early learners to young adults prepared to make a meaningful impact in the world,” he said.
Bradley Ebersole, chairman of the Good Hope Country Day School board of trustees, said Morgan’s “broad experience, inclusive vision, and strategic mindset” align closely with the school’s mission to cultivate reflective, creative and compassionate learners within a diverse and globally engaged community.
Ebersole said Morgan possesses the character and leadership qualities necessary to build upon the school’s strong foundation and ensure its mission continues to flourish for generations to come.
