Bel Air School Leader Named To Top 100 Women In Maryland List

BEL AIR, MD — The head of The Highlands School, Claudia Nachtigal, has been named to the 2026 list of Top 100 Women in Maryland.

Nachtigal has served as head of school at The Highlands School since October 2022. The kindergarten through 8th grade independent school in Bel Air serves students with learning differences and achievement gaps.

“When I first arrived at Highlands, my goal was to strengthen the school’s foundation while expanding opportunities for students with learning differences. These students are incredibly capable, but too often traditional environments don’t allow them to demonstrate what they can do," Nachtigal told Patch.

The Highlands School is located on an 18-acre campus in Bel Air. Founded in 1996, The Highlands School is an AIMS-accredited independent school

“From the beginning, I focused on four things: strategic planning, building a strong faculty culture, ensuring long-term financial stability and increasing awareness in our community that there are effective solutions for students who learn differently," Nachtigal added.

Maryland’s Top 100 Women recognizes high-achieving women in the state who are making an impact through their leadership, community service and mentoring. The list was compiled by The Daily Record.

During Nachtigal's tenure, the school has experienced considerable growth. Enrollment has increased by 26%, the Board of Directors has grown by 60%, teacher starting salaries have increased by 54%, and the school has expanded philanthropic support to launch both an endowment fund and a capital campaign, Nachtigal shared.

“I’m proud of the measurable growth, but what matters most are the students and families. Many arrive feeling discouraged or defeated academically. Watching them regain confidence and rediscover a love of learning is the most meaningful part of this work. During a recent deep dive into our student data, we saw that two students who have been with us for five years have grown by seven grade levels. That kind of progress is extraordinary, and it’s exactly why schools like Highlands matter," she told Patch.

“My hope has always been that Highlands continues to be a place where students who learn differently are not just accommodated, but truly understood and empowered to succeed.”

Maryland's Top 100 Women will be honored at a reception and awards celebration on May 4 at SECU Arena at Towson University.

“I’m truly honored to be recognized among this year’s Top 100 Women,” Nachtigal said. “As we celebrate The Highlands School’s 30th anniversary, this recognition reflects the dedication of our outstanding educators, families and students who bring our mission to life every day. I’m grateful to be part of a school that is committed to nurturing confidence and a love of learning in every child.”