Paragon Prep

Dear Paragon Families, Every week I sit down to write this letter and find myself reaching for the same words-- and I mean them more each time I say them: my heart is full, and I am so proud to represent this incredible community. This week, that feeling hit differently. It wasn't just a quiet moment of gratitude at my desk; it was loud and alive and standing right in front of me in a room full of new and current families, and it honestly moved me to tears. Last night, we hosted our very first New Knight Night, an event designed to welcome families who have applied and been accepted for next year. Over 130 people showed up to connect with one another, meet current students and families, and get a real, authentic look at what Paragon life feels like from the inside. Watching new families ask questions and current families answer them with such warmth and confidence reminded me why we pour everything we have into this place. I'll be honest with you-- I have a vision for Paragon, and I work incredibly hard alongside our staff and students to bring that vision to life every single day. But it can be difficult to know what truly resonates once it leaves our walls and travels home with your kids. Last night, I got to find out. I slipped into the PreK-3rd grade Parent Panel room toward the end of the evening, and what I heard stopped me in my tracks. Our current parents were answering questions from new families better than I ever could-- with specificity, with heart, and with stories I didn't even know they were carrying. One moment in particular will stay with me for a long time. A current parent described how her naturally reserved son had been encouraged to find his voice at our large school events from his 8th grade buddy-- and how that older student had truly seen him for who he is. That is the goal. That is exactly the goal! The heart we pour into our events, our curriculum, and our extracurriculars is not just landing-- it is being passed from family to family, student to student, in exactly the way it was intended. I was overwhelmed. I am so grateful. And just as overwhelming-- a 7th grade student announced yesterday that there are only 30 days of school left! Hold on tight, Knight families, because we are steering the SS Paragon cruise ship into port and it is going to fly by. We intend to make every one of those days count. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for trusting us with your student's education and growth. What an extraordinary gift that is. Wishing you the very best week ahead! With joy, Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School

Hello Paragon Families, What a week it has been! As I sit down to write this week's newsletter, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for this incredible community. Hay Day was everything and more-- a beautiful reminder of why I love being a part of Paragon. To our students, families, and educators: thank you for making this a truly special place. Hay Day did not disappoint! From the energy at the assembly to the smiles on every face, it was a celebration worthy of the community we have built together. The ice cream truck was, without a doubt, a highlight and the after party kept the fun going into the evening. Days like these remind us that the joy we experience together is just as important as the work we do together. It is one of my greatest honors to serve as Head of School among such a dedicated group of educators, engaged families, and remarkable students. I do not take lightly the trust you place in me each day, and celebrations like Hay Day fill my cup in ways I cannot fully put into words. I am so proud to call this community home. Now, on to some very exciting news-- it is time to congratulate this year's Teacher of the Year awardees! Thanks to an outpouring of votes from our wonderful parents and students, we are thrilled to recognize Daniel Diffen, our middle school Spanish teacher, as Specialty Teacher of the Year, and Stevenson Cease as Core Teacher of the Year. These two educators exemplify the heart and excellence that define Paragon every single day. Please join me in celebrating them! Finally, I hope each and every one of you has had a wonderful, restful weekend surrounded by the people you love most. As we head into the week ahead, carry with you the joy and warmth of this past week — it was one for the books. Here's to another great week at Paragon! With gratitude, Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School

Hello Paragon Families, There are weeks that remind you exactly who you are-- and who you’re surrounded by. This week challenged us in an unexpected way. With Mr. Woffenden’s sudden departure, our team was once again called to step up in the face of uncertainty and navigate a difficult moment together. And what I witnessed was something truly special. Our administrative team came together immediately-- collaborating, problem-solving, and turning over every possible option to ensure our students continued to receive the strong, consistent academic experience they deserve. At the same time, our teachers stepped forward without hesitation, offering to take on more, adjust, and support one another in whatever way was needed. Character is defined by how you show up when things are hard-- and this week, our staff showed incredible strength, flexibility, and heart. I am so proud of our teachers, and especially grateful to Haley, Joey, Melissa, and Rama for their leadership in finding the best path forward for both our students and our staff. It is an honor to lead this team. And in true Paragon fashion, even in a challenging week, there is exciting good news to share! We have officially been approved for TEFA! While we should be listed on the website soon, our account is already active. A big step forward and something worth celebrating. What a week it has been. Warmly, Lindsay Hay, M.Ed. Head of School

Dear Paragon Families, I am incredibly humbled to share that I have been recognized as Educator Insider Magazine’s Top Head of School of 2026. To be completely honest, I am not even sure how I was nominated, but I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of congratulations and kind messages from so many of you. Your support, encouragement, and belief in what we are building at Paragon mean more to me than any title ever could. Ironically, when I received confirmation that the award was official, I was in the middle of ruthlessly fighting stubborn boards off the deck at Barkley’s Field. Covered in sweat, exhausted, and questioning my own sanity, I found myself thinking-- if I’ve already “won” something like this, why am I still pushing myself this hard? Why do I keep choosing the difficult path? That question led me to reflect on something I know well: ambition. If I’m being honest, ambition might be the death of me. As I vented (probably dramatically) about how physically grueling the project was and how ridiculous it was to think we could tackle it over Spring Break, a friend responded, “But you’re nothing if not a visionary!” And the truth is-- that’s exactly it. I am a visionary. I can see what Paragon can become. I can see the future of this school, this campus, and the incredible potential within our children. That vision, paired with a relentless ambition, is what drives me to show up every single day-- whether I’m in a classroom, in a meeting, or prying up boards under the Texas sun. My hope for each of you is that you have something in your life that pushes you forward in the same way. Something that calls you to keep going, even when it’s hard. And even more importantly, my hope is that together, we can help our children discover that same sense of purpose, that same ambitious drive, so they grow into individuals who don’t just dream about the future, but build it. For this deck project-- I would like to send the most gratitude to staff members Brandy Miller and Jackie Acosta. Brandy showed up everyday over Spring Break to sweat and work with me. Coach Jackie and her Austin Valkyries Rugby team also helped with the destruction. My son, Michael, and my 2 girls also spent a majority of their break working on this project. And Melissa Lype came by one day to say she was not helping, but then picked up a broom and started sweeping. Nick Nelson came by to grab some discarded lumber for some new garden beds for our Gardening elective. And we could not have done anything without our contractor Dan Hoffman-- he has been with Paragon longer than me:)! Much appreciated for all of the help over our break! I hope you all had a wonderful break with your families and I am looking forward to seeing everyone back on Monday! Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School

Dear Paragon Families, Last week, I had the opportunity to visit one of our sister schools in Houston, The Honor Roll School, along with several of our teachers. We made the trip with a clear purpose: to observe another strong program in action, exchange ideas, and build professional relationships with teachers who share the same subject areas and passions for their craft. Stepping outside our own environment allows us to see familiar work through a new lens and learn from the approaches of other dedicated educators. One of the most rewarding parts of the visit was watching our teachers engage with what they saw. They didn’t simply observe—they reflected, discussed, and thoughtfully considered how the ideas they encountered could strengthen their own teaching. I was incredibly impressed by how quickly they were able to synthesize their observations into practical, actionable ideas to bring back to Paragon. Experiences like this remind us that great schools are always learning communities, not just for students but for teachers as well. Our team returned energized and inspired, ready to apply new insights and continue refining the excellent work already happening in our classrooms. As we move into the final stretch of the school year, that renewed sense of purpose and momentum is exactly what we hoped for. I also greatly enjoyed our Parent Coffee this week, where we discussed the topic “Holding On, Letting Go: How to Support Your Student in School.” This conversation is particularly meaningful to me because it comes from personal experience. I have lived through being an over-involved parent myself—I often joke that I’m “in recovery”—and I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find the right balance between supporting our children and allowing them the space to grow. My hope with conversations like these is to help parents gain clarity, confidence, and peace in the school process. When families and schools share the same understanding of how children develop independence and resilience, it benefits everyone-- especially our students. Be on the lookout next week for the minutes and presentation from the coffee; it was a thoughtful discussion and one worth sharing more broadly with our community. Warmly, Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School