The Village School Announces Dr. Ryan Kelly as Next Head of School

Dr. Kelly brings over 25 years of experience in independent and international education to lead the school into its next chapter.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Village School, a private school in West Houston, has announced the appointment of Dr. Ryan Kelly as its next Head of School, effective for the 2026-27 academic year. Dr. Kelly, who currently serves as Head of School at The Colorado Springs School, has over 25 years of experience in independent and international education, with a deep commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student-centered learning.

Why it matters

The Village School is part of the Nord Anglia Education network and prides itself on fostering a vibrant and inclusive global community. Dr. Kelly's leadership and vision are expected to build on the school's strong foundation, diverse community, and tradition of excellence, guiding it into its next chapter.

The details

Dr. Kelly's prior leadership experience includes serving as the founding Head of School of BASIS International & Bilingual School in Chengdu, China, and as Head of School at Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, where he advanced programs focused on STEM, entrepreneurship, and inquiry-driven learning. A former chemistry and mathematics teacher, Dr. Kelly holds a Doctor of Education in Educational and Organizational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. His educational philosophy centers on experiential learning and global perspective, empowering students to think critically and creatively.

  • Dr. Kelly will begin his role as Head of School at The Village School in the 2026-27 academic year.

The players

Dr. Ryan Kelly

The incoming Head of School at The Village School, with over 25 years of experience in independent and international education.

Dr. Mitchell Salerno

The Managing Director for the United States at Nord Anglia Education, the network that The Village School is a part of.

The Village School

A private school teaching pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students located in West Houston, part of the Nord Anglia Education network.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Dr. Kelly joins The Village at an exciting time as we build on our strong foundation. His leadership, vision and care for every member of our community will guide the school into its next chapter.”

— Dr. Mitchell Salerno, Managing Director, Nord Anglia Education, USA (EINPresswire.com)

“I am thrilled to join The Village School as Head of School and to be part of this remarkable community. The school's mission to prepare students who think critically, collaborate genuinely, and give of themselves generously aligns perfectly with our values and our belief that education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.”

— Dr. Ryan Kelly (EINPresswire.com)

What’s next

Dr. Kelly will officially begin his role as Head of School at The Village School in the 2026-27 academic year.

The takeaway

The appointment of Dr. Ryan Kelly, an experienced leader in independent and international education, as the next Head of School at The Village School signals an exciting new chapter for the institution as it continues to build on its strong foundation, diverse community, and tradition of excellence.