TRANSFORM AT MARSHALL

Reprinted from The Hilltopper Magazine, Fall 2025

 

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Now in his second year at the helm of Marshall School, Head of School Anthony Pisipia has transformation on his mind. But fear not; his idea of transformation has nothing to do with sweeping overhauls or dramatic reinventions. Instead, it’s an inspired vision grounded in the school’s 120-year legacy of impact on students, faculty, and the Twin Ports community.

 

TRANSFORMING TRADITION INTO TOMORROW

Marshall has undergone multiple transformations since its inception, yet many foundational truths remain unchanged: a deep love for children and a steadfast mission to empower them to become strong, capable citizens with opportunities within reach upon graduation. 

“I want to leave Marshall more like itself, not reshape it into something it’s not. There’s so much here that’s good and unique. I want to build on Marshall’s strengths and use those strengths to transform students’ lives.”

Equally enduring is the spirit of community support—both from Marshall and for Marshall—an ongoing partnership that continues to shape the school’s success. After all, it was the tireless efforts of people across the Twin Ports area (many of whom weren’t even Marshall parents!) that ensured Marshall’s survival when its future was in jeopardy in 1976. In turn, Marshall students strive to transform the community through community service, environmental stewardship, and other initiatives that foster habits of good citizenship.

 

PERSONAL CHANGE

Leading Marshall School has also been a journey of personal transformation for Anthony Pisipia. The opportunity brought him from Delaware’s esteemed Tower Hill School to his new home in Minnesota. This was a bold move that his entire family has come to embrace. With one Marshall graduate (Class of ’25) and two more children currently enrolled as eleventh and seventh graders, the transition has proven to be a rewarding one. “It’s been incredibly meaningful to bring my family to a school I truly believe is excellent, and to ensure they have access to that excellence.”

The sentiments from the school are mutual. “Getting to know this community has been a gift,” Anthony shares. “It’s a uniquely joyful place.” Throughout the current school year, he has been working diligently alongside faculty, staff, and leadership to shape a clear and compelling vision for what education at Marshall School can and should be. The ultimate goal: to imagine and deliver the highest, most authentic form of education the school can offer. Luckily, he has a strong team behind him with expertise to draw from.

 

TEACHING TO TRANSFORM

Marshall’s commitment to attracting and retaining a highly accomplished faculty is foundational. The school is proud to employ teachers who understand kids not just as learners, but as problem solvers; whole people with their own strengths and potential. “Our teachers are incredibly gifted,” says Anthony. “They deeply understand their subjects, and we have a high bar. If you’re teaching at Marshall, you could be teaching at a college level.” That depth of knowledge is crucial for shaping the student experience because it takes them beyond worksheets and textbooks and into lessons that are applicable in the real world. Marshall’s faculty aren’t just instructors—they’re guides who help students make real connections between what they’re learning and how it applies to life. 

 

ONE MARSHALL

At the center of Anthony’s current direction is One Marshall: a unifying framework for the school across each division. From Forest School to Middle School to Upper School, each stage builds on the last, creating one seamless experience for students and families. The ultimate outcome? Students who are prepared for the world that awaits them, armed with experiences through exploration, learning, and leading. 

“I love the word transform because it speaks to evolution and growth,” says Anthony. And what better place to evolve and grow than a place like Marshall School? Schools are inherently places of growth, and Marshall is set up to help students, faculty, and the institution itself as they transform. Anthony enjoys watching this growth happen in real time. “A faculty that’s growing and learning is the best kind. And our students? We get to watch them grow every day—in their capabilities, in their understanding.” This steadfast commitment is one that preceded Anthony’s tenure, and it’s one he intends to carry on to bolster its future.

Anthony believes Marshall School is uniquely positioned to become one of the best educational options in Minnesota. Its size, community, and faculty are the assets that can make it a standout school. With him, he brings the knowledge of how to work athletics, art, and a liberal arts education into a curriculum to elevate Marshall’s excellence.

“One Marshall has unified our internal organization and our external support,” Anthony explains. “It’s helped us realize we can’t do this alone. We are a community, and that community is vital to transforming students’ lives. And when we work together, we’re unstoppable.”

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