Kingsley’s Head of School, Steve Farley, reflects on the school year and shares his plans for Summer Break.

As you reflect on Kingsley’s 2024–25 school year, what things are you particularly proud of? 

For me, the end of the year marks not only a time to celebrate the big accomplishments like the Kindergarten Marathon, Senior Projects, and Graduation—and acknowledge major accomplishments like our milestone 85th Anniversary Block Party or another record-setting year for the Annual Fund. It also offers a time to reflect on less noticed but no less important achievements: the three-year old who can now independently and confidently walk up the front steps of Fairfield, the return of our Lower Elementary foster turtles to the wild, our Sixth Grade students leading group Open House tours, and so many more. It also provides an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of my colleagues who are nearing the completion of another successful year of guiding our students toward mature independence, steadfast kindness, and confident scholarship.

There are a few moves and renovations taking place this summer, including two new Early Childhood classrooms at 26 Exeter Street! In addition to what you’ve already shared, what benefits do you envision for our school community come September?

As the school year draws to a close, it is not long before my administrative team and I turn our eyes toward next school year. The 2025–2026 year at Kingsley promises to be a special one as we prepare to increase the footprint of our ECE “neighborhood” on Exeter’s third floor while simultaneously providing much needed additional program space at Fairfield for our ECE and Auxiliary Programs.

I look forward to seeing how these moves will deepen the connections between our students and teachers across divisions by creating more opportunities for thoughtful, intentional interactions; how it will create more spaces where our Kindergarten students can come together (making this special year even more meaningful); and how it will allow our Auxiliary Program to offer more after school options for our Early Childhood families.

Before the “fun stuff,” a note from Steve:

For years, I have tried to get into a rhythm of sharing meaningful–and not too serious–reflections on the work I have the privilege of observing each day as Kingsley’s Head of School. And, for years, the daily demands of my work disrupted these best-laid plans. Not so this year, however, thanks to the committed efforts of Grace Hoefs, our Assistant Director of Marketing. Her good humor, curiosity, and collaboration have fueled my monthly reflections and made them a welcomed opportunity for reflection and for looking forward. Thank you, Grace, for finding a way for me to make these posts finally come to life!

Any big summer plans in the works?

As has been the case most summers, I will be turning my traveling attention once again to our neighbors to the north. Sarah and I plan to spend a week exploring Quebec’s Gaspe Peninsula, one of the few areas of eastern Canada that we have yet to explore (Labrador being the other). Rich in history as one of the first places in North America explored by Europeans, thanks to the St. Lawrence Seaway, the area also promises an incredible opportunity for bird and whale watching. (Gaspe is home to both the largest colony of gannets in the world, while also offering the chance to see large pods of Beluga whales). And, as we will be road tripping, I am also looking forward to getting my fix of traditional and contemporary French Canadian music!

What’s on your summer reading list?

• Non-fiction:
  • Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith by Phil Hanley 
  • You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place by Janelle Shane
  • Change the Recipe: Because You Can't Build a Better World Without Breaking Some Eggs by José Andrés and Richard Wolffe
• Fiction:
  • Okinawa by Susumu Higa
  • Tilt: A Novel by Emma Pattee
  • Cahokia Jazz: A Novel by Francis Spufford

What’s your go-to ice cream order?

The Holy Cannoli (Vanilla ice cream with a cannoli filling core, topped with cannoli shell, chocolate chips, and homemade whipped cream) from Scoop ‘n’ Scootery. Their whipped cream is next level!

Vibe check: Have you learned any new slang words lately, from Kingsley students or your own kids? 

My now-grown children disabused me long ago of the idea that I could be hip enough to dish slang with them, so I’m afraid that this 56-year-old has pretty much doubled down on using the gnarly 1980’s slang he used growing up! 

Did you see the new Mission Impossible movie? If not, what’s on your summer blockbuster list?

I haven’t yet headed to the theaters to see the new Mission Impossible, as I am much more into the superhero genre than espionage thrillers. With that in mind, I am eagerly looking forward to James Gunn’s take on Superman and Marvel’s retro look at the Fantastic Four. 

If you had to pick one DH (designated hitter), would it be David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez, or Shohei Ohtani?

Is this even a discussion? Big Papi, of course! Without him, the Curse of the Bambino might still be ongoing today! Watching his offensive heroics year after year will remain one of the purest joys of my lifelong Red Sox fandom.

This has been "Q's with the HoS." Thanks for reading!