Weekly Message from Head of School 2025/05/19-2025/05/23

Dear Keystonians,

It is a special weekend for our Grade 12 students and their families!

Today, our 12th graders traveled around the school in a beautiful parade, giving students, employees, and third-party staff the opportunity to bid them farewell on their final day of high school.

Tomorrow night, they will officially become alumni of Keystone Academy and embark on their next adventures. Next week, our school will feel smaller. And while most of our 12th graders won’t head off to college for a few months, starting Saturday night, their lives—and their families’ dynamics—will begin shifting into a new stage.

I had some lovely conversations with 12th graders this week as they finished their exams and looked ahead to the weekend. A shared sentiment was how quickly it all passed. As one student said wistfully, “It’s like I blinked, and now I’m graduating.”

Parents and teachers feel the same. Even when days feel long, the years fly by. As teachers, we’ll welcome another group of 12th graders next year. The Class of 2026 is waiting in the wings, already stepping up to fill the leadership roles left by the Class of 2025. Schools are built for this kind of renewal—tides rise and recede, but the ocean remains full. Graduating classes leave, new students arrive, and the school is always vibrant and full. Yet, every year, we’re overcome with emotion as we say goodbye and honor the students who’ve shaped our community.

This morning, I went to the office early to sign the diplomas for the Class of 2025. I love this ritual. It’s so much more than an administrative task; it feels like a sacred honor, something I do on behalf of everyone at Keystone who has nurtured these students’ educational journeys. As I sign, I take time to reflect on each child who will receive this diploma. In those quiet moments, I honor their families’ sacrifices and their teachers’ dedication. The students are ready for what comes next after this indescribably important milestone.

So, to all the families, graduates, and employees of this wonderful school—congratulations! The tide has risen, and they are ready to go. The rest of us stand at the shore with pride in our hearts, perhaps a joyful tear in our eyes, and watch them sail onward.

Warmly,

Emily