Sage Hill School has revealed the next step toward making its middle school project a reality. In anticipation of the middle school’s tentative 2026 opening, Dr. Joseph Moody was recently named as Director of Middle School after a nationwide search.
Dr. Moody currently serves as Head of Middle School at the Lovett School in Atlanta, Ga., and is slated to join Sage’s leadership team in July. He was inspired to take on the position because he was excited to have the chance to “build something from the ground up.”
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop curriculum, watch a building being constructed, [hire] teachers and recruit students,” Dr. Moody said.
Dr. Moody’s extensive career in education and 14 years of experience in a middle school setting made him the right fit for the position, Head of School Patricia Merz said.
“He has experience working directly with this age range of students, and he knows what it takes to build a middle school program that will succeed,” Ms. Merz said. “To him, an exceptional middle school education will focus not only on curriculum, but also on social-emotional and character development.”
Dr. Moody joined Lovett as an eighth grade science teacher in 2010. He then served as Dean of Student Life and Assistant Head of Middle School for Student Life before becoming Head of Middle School. Dr. Moody has also coached wrestling, football and track. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology at Presbyterian College and a master’s degree in Psychology and doctorate in Educational Psychology from Walden University.
Though the current high school and middle schools will be mostly separate, both Ms. Merz and Dr. Moody emphasize that the schools will be unified under a single “Sage” culture. According to Dr. Moody, this culture will include the “Six Cs,” which are a main part of Sage’s curriculum and high school experience.
“The core value of community will play a key role. A sense of belonging and interconnectedness among students, faculty, staff and families will be fostered. We will be one Sage Hill 7-12,” Dr. Moody said.
Sage Hill’s administration already cleared a major hurdle when the Newport Beach Planning Commission approved its middle school application last December.
For the time being, Dr. Moody will work alongside Sage’s current senior administrative team to develop the middle school curriculum, while also serving as one of the main representatives in upcoming fundraising and outreach campaigns. He will play a key role in gaining support for the school and in bringing new families into the Sage community, Ms. Merz said.
“Our team is very excited to get to know him better in the coming weeks and cannot wait to welcome him officially this July,” Ms. Merz said.
