What happens when a casual conversation sparks a God-given calling? For Kristie Stoddard, it led to founding Headington Hill Classical Academy. In just three years, her school has grown from a handful of families to nearly 100 students. This isn’t an accident; it’s the result of intentional, faith-led leadership. Stoddard’s journey offers a powerful blueprint for any school leader seeking to build a resilient, mission-aligned culture that withstands the pressures of growth while staying true to its core.
Start with Your ‘Why’: Vision Before All Else
Before you can build anything lasting, you need a ‘bull’s-eye on the side of the barn.’ For Stoddard, that vision is everything. The school’s very name, Headington Hill, is a nod to the road where C.S. Lewis had an epiphany that led him toward faith—a perfect metaphor for their educational journey. Their vision isn’t just about ‘excellent education’; it’s about repairing ‘the ruin of our first parents’ so that we may know and love God. Stoddard emphasizes that character formation and knowing God are the ultimate goals. When you have a clear vision, every other decision—from curriculum to culture—passes through a filter.
Guardians of Culture: The Family Interview
Rapid growth can be exciting, but Stoddard calls the jump from 24 to over 80 students ‘fairly scary’ because it threatened the infant culture she was carefully building. Her solution? A robust family interview process serves as the first line of defense. It’s not about being exclusive; it’s about ensuring alignment. The process involves a tour, a formal application, and an interview in which they discuss their statement of faith, share their faith journeys, and ensure the family’s expectations align with the school’s unique collaborative model. By prioritizing fit over enrollment numbers, they ensure every new family strengthens the community rather than diluting it.
More Than Words: Living Your Values Out Loud
A strong vision is lived out through daily core values. At Headington Hill, values like ‘Scholarly’ mean choosing deep, meaningful engagement with four great books a year instead of skimming twenty. ‘Liturgical’ means bookending each day with worship and prayer, creating a rhythm of faith. Perhaps most powerfully, ‘Rightly Ordered’ guides their choices with a simple question: ‘Does it teach us to love that which is lovely?’ This principle helps them navigate everything from curriculum choices to ethical dilemmas, ensuring every aspect of the school points back to their ultimate vision.
Stoddard’s story is a testament to leading with faith over fear. It’s about trusting God, having the courage to say ‘no’ to preserve your culture, and remembering your ultimate purpose. Her best piece of advice is a game-changer for any leader feeling the pressure to succeed: ‘The success or failure of your school is not up to you. Your job is to obey God.’ When you operate from a place of obedience rather than chasing metrics, you build something with a foundation strong enough to truly make an impact.
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