Steve Farley, Head of School, shares his educational philosophy of "hugging the lion."

Welcome back, Kingsley families!

During a leadership and team building retreat this summer with Kingsley’s administrative team, we were asked to choose an image that crystalized each team member’s educational philosophy from a deck of evocative pictures. Without hesitation, I selected a photograph of a young child embracing a magnificent lion—not with fear, but with pure joy and trust. This image perfectly embodies what we believe about learning at Kingsley: that the most profound growth happens when we dare to "hug the lion."

What does it mean to hug the lion in education? It means approaching learning with fearless curiosity, seeing wonder where others might see intimidation. It means creating spaces where students feel safe to take intellectual risks and discover that what initially seems daunting often becomes their greatest source of joy and strength.

Every September, I witness this magic unfold across our campus. From our youngest Toddler students taking their first brave steps into exploration, to our First and Fourth Graders stepping into new divisions, to our Kindergarten and Third Grade students embracing leadership roles, to our Sixth Graders pursuing deep learning on a subject about which they are passionate and tackling real-world challenges through Model United Nations—each moment reminds me that courage isn't the absence of uncertainty, but the willingness to embrace it.

Our Montessori approach naturally cultivates this spirit. In our prepared environments, children learn that challenges are invitations to grow, mistakes are stepping stones to mastery, and authentic learning happens when we lean into what captivates us most deeply. In short, we honor each child's unique path to understanding.

This year, I invite our entire community to embrace the lion-hugger within. The child in this photograph teaches us something profound: the most meaningful relationships with ideas, challenges, and learning itself require us to move closer, not further away. They demand the courage to discover that what initially roars might actually purr.

At Kingsley, we don't just teach subjects—we cultivate lion-huggers. We nurture young people who approach the world with open hearts, curious minds, and the unshakeable belief that every challenge is an invitation to discover something extraordinary about themselves.

Here's to a year of brave learning, joyful discoveries, and plenty of lion-hugging moments.

With excitement for the journey ahead,

Steve Farley
Head of School