Letter from Head of School, Amy L. Clemons

My love for Woodlynde began as a parent looking for a school that could not only meet the needs of students who learn differently, but also go beyond the academics to see the whole child. As it was for so many of you, knowing that my child would be seen as an individual and nourished in his growth—both academically and social-emotionally—was of the utmost importance to me and Dan. It was the commitment that Woodlynde colleagues demonstrated in seeing Hayden in his wholeness that drew us in immediately as parents.

Over the past five years, I have experienced and witnessed that commitment in new ways as I got to know Woodlynde colleagues across the school as my colleagues. The level of expertise and incredible dedication that Woodlynde colleagues demonstrate every day in support of our bright, engaged learners fills me with both pride and purpose. It has been an absolute pleasure to work and learn alongside such an outstanding team of educators and administrators who demonstrate their commitment to Woodlynde’s mission every day both in the classroom and beyond. The relationships that they build with students are a hallmark of the Woodlynde experience and something I know both students and parents alike value deeply.

As I think about all that has been achieved over the preceding years and the ongoing work that will continue, I am both proud of the accomplishments and excited for Woodlynde’s future, especially the vision and plans outlined in our strategic plan.

The achievements include a campus transformation, including the John, Sarah and Bill Schmader Student Commons, and a host of new spaces that deepen our commitment to multisensory education. I am grateful for the incredible generosity that made these spaces—and the transformation of our students’ daily experiences—possible. That same generosity has seen Woodlynde School’s philanthropic returns reach their highest levels in more than five years during the 2022-23 school year.

Equal emphasis has been placed on programmatic and curricular innovation, including the rollouts of Universal Design for Learning and The Writing Revolution schoolwide, the integration of our Executive Functions in Every Classroom initiative across divisions and content areas, and the investment in a social-emotional learning team responsible for the creation of Connections, a proprietary social-emotional curriculum and approach launched in September.

There is much that remains underway, and I am excited to move any number of programs and projects forward between now and June 2024, including a makerspace and a new home for The Literacy Institute at Woodlynde School. That project, along with a number of fruitful partnerships currently in development, chart a course for Woodlynde in the coming decades that will expand the school’s reach and reputation while reaffirming our commitment to structured literacy, social-emotional growth, partnership with parents, and—most critically—a transformative educational experience for our students.

I am excited for my next professional adventure as Head of School at Forman School in Litchfield, Connecticut. A return to boarding school life and the immersive experience of living with students and colleagues in shared purpose shaped my decision, as did a desire to remain squarely committed to leadership within the space of learning difference education.

Woodlynde School and the people I found here will forever hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to seeing and supporting all the great things that await this wonderful school in the years to come.

All my best,

Amy L. Clemons P’19
Head of School