Lake Highland, one of the best educational institutions in Central Florida, has served as a role model for many nearby schools. Whether one measures success through athletic accomplishments, stunning academic statistics, or a welcoming atmosphere, LHPS defeats the competition in every metric. Every year, the number of families that want to join the Lake Highland community continues to grow, and the waiting list increases accordingly. Lake Highland’s outstanding administration has clearly been doing an excellent job. However, recent changes in administration and the power shifts that will follow beg the question: how will Lake Highland change in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year and beyond?
Mr. Derek Daly, the current Director of the Upper School, has been a major cause of the school’s major success in the past few years. When asked what he believes his biggest impact on the school was, he responded that, “If I had to identify one impact, I hope it has been helping strengthen a culture where students feel known, supported, and challenged to lead with character.” He elaborated further, describing the importance of creating, “An environment where students can thrive academically while also developing integrity, empathy, and confidence.” He believes in the importance of being a well-rounded person, describing how he has helped students in their, “Academic initiatives” and, “Leadership programming.”
Mr. Daly has embodied these principles in his own life by not only practicing and deepening his leadership skills on a daily basis, but also by becoming a world champion Irish-stepdancer. Furthermore, Mr. Daly is inspired by his students’ successes, believing that the, “Best part of Lake Highland has always been the students…watching students discover their passions, overcome challenges, and mature into confident young adults is incredibly rewarding.” Although Mr. Daly is leaving Lake Highland, he wants to reassure the LHP community that they, “Will always hold a very special place in my heart.” He gives a final reminder that Lake Highland is strongest when its students stay focused on their mission and on helping one another, and he, “Will always be cheering for its continued success. Go HIGHLANDERS!”
Mr. Jonathan Hiett, the current Upper School Associate Director of Student Services and an LHP alumnus, will be replacing Mr. Daly as the new Upper School Director. He has worked at Lake Highland for over a decade, and he, “Has been watching the ways in which [faculty members] uplift and support one another.” Because he cherishes Lake Highland and its Mission Statement of, “Love, concern, and mutual respect” deeply, he views his new position as, “The next opportunity to continue to impact students and our faculty and staff in the best way I can.” When asked what changes he plans to implement in the coming years, Mr. Hiett responded that he wants to, “ensure I’m taking a fresh look at everything from the lens of this new role, and the most important piece of that is listening to people’s experiences, questions, and needs.”
However, despite the many changes occurring at the administration level at Lake Highland, Mr. Hiett doesn’t see this as a weakness, explaining that, “Whenever there’s any change at the leadership level, it’s an excellent opportunity to both continue and honor traditions that are in place and part of the fabric of the school community while also recognizing opportunities for new leaders to bring their own ideas and style to their roles.” Although he, “Will absolutely miss parts of [his] current positions,” Mr. Hiett is confident that, “[He] can continue to have meaningful student interactions in this new role.” Overall, although Lake Highland’s leadership will be changing in the next academic year, the Mission Statement will continue to, “Guide [their] decisions and [their] strategic plans for the future.”
Finally, Ms. Lynn Stewart is the current Dean of College Counseling at Lake Highland. However, she has decided that she is going to move to Georgia to pursue her dream of studying the art of interior design. She explained that her decision to start this next part of her story was inspired by, “Watching [her] students transition to college and beyond.” Ms. Stewart believes that, “Interior design is an outlet for my creative energy…my favorite activity is taking something old and giving it a new purpose.” She chose to move to Mableton, Georgia because she believes that, “It’s the cutest town, and I have an amazing support system of friends.”
Over her years of working at Lake Highland, she has made many lasting impacts on the students, faculty, and the atmosphere around campus. However, she believes that her favorite part of being in the Lake Highland community is, “Helping young people navigate the college process and reflect on their lives after LHP.” When asked if she had a message for the school and, in particular, the graduating class, she responded that, “My heart is filled with gratitude for the many different experiences I’ve shared with students and colleagues…Lake Highland will always be home.”
Overall, it is bittersweet that Lake Highland will be losing influential members of its community in the upcoming academic year. Although there will be many changes in administration, the school’s driven focus on its Mission Statement will remain intact. The school’s fate will be in good hands, with administrators such as Mr. Hiett prepared to step up to the task of leading the school and its students to even greater accomplishments.
