Paragon Prep

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

Dear Paragon Families, What a fantastic night we had at our Science Expo! It is always one of my favorite evenings of the year, and once again, our students absolutely impressed. It was such a joy to walk through and see their projects on display-- every single one a reflection of curiosity, effort, and real perseverance. Watching the pride on their faces as they explained their experiments and discoveries to their parents was incredibly special. Our students rose to the occasion. From thoughtful hypotheses to creative presentations, it was clear how much effort they invested. Events like this showcase not only academic learning, but also confidence, communication skills, and the ability to think critically-- skills that will serve them far beyond elementary school. One of the highlights for me was welcoming several of our parents who generously shared their science-related professions with our students. We had specialist doctors, a linguistics professional, and even a veterinarian cardiologist taking time to explain their work and answer questions. I feel so proud watching our students listen so intently and ask such thoughtful questions. Offering children the chance to interact directly with real-world professionals is powerful at this age. It helps them connect classroom learning to tangible careers. It expands their sense of what is possible. It plants seeds. When students can see and speak to adults who use science every day in meaningful ways, learning becomes more relevant and more inspiring. Thank you to every family who participated, supported, and encouraged your children through their projects. Nights like the Science Expo remind me how fortunate we are to be part of a community that values curiosity, hard work, and dreaming about the future. I would like to extend a special thanks to Rama Sreekantham (Mrs. S.) for her vision and execution of yet another amazing science night. And another huge thank you to all of our staff who contributed their time and talent to the event. We truly have the best team. Wishing you the best this week-- Spring Break is almost here! Warmly, Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School

Dear Paragon Families, We are officially in the stretch of the school year we gently warned you about: the late-winter doldrums. This is the time when student emotions can feel a little more charged, patience runs thinner, and parents are simply tired. The excitement of the new year has worn off, spring break still feels just out of reach, and everyone seems to be digging a little deeper into their reserves. And I’ll be honest-- I am in it too. My husband was out of town this week, and for the first time in my 23 years of being a parent, I allowed myself to be “just enough.” Normally when he travels, I try to operate at full capacity for two people. I cook the meals, keep the house spotless, prep everything in advance, walk the dogs, make the green smoothies, and attempt to maintain our usual rhythm without missing a beat. It is exhausting. This week, I didn’t do that. I embraced the deficit. The dishes sat in the sink. I did the bare minimum. There were no elaborate meals, no morning smoothies, and the dogs did not get daily walks. And you know what? I felt better. My cortisol levels stayed steady. There were no tears, no emotional spirals-- just a calmer, more centered version of myself. What surprised me most was how much that shift affected my girls. Their emotions were steadier. The house felt more peaceful. It reminded me how powerfully our energy sets the tone for those around us. I noticed the same thing at school, when I consciously kept my own stress from escalating, I felt clearer, more grounded, and better able to lead. So as we head into another week before spring break, I encourage you to give yourself permission to be just enough. Lower the bar where you can. Let something go. Embrace the moment instead of trying to master it. It may be exactly what we all need to get across the finish line feeling whole. I also hope to see everyone at our Science Expo on Thursday night from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Our students are working incredibly hard on their projects, and it is always one of my favorite evenings of the year-- a chance to see their curiosity, effort, and pride on full display. It’s such a special night to celebrate their hard work together as a community. Wishing you the best, Lindsay Hay, M. Ed. Head of School