Highland School's Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Head of School Hank Berg has agreed to a new contract that ensures he will remain the school's leader through June 2015. Berg has led Highland since 2005. During that time, he has played a significant role in major initiatives that have touched every Highland student, including the renovation of the Middle school, construction of the Lower School, which earned a prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, and the opening of the Upper School Humanities wing.

He has also has helped assemble a faculty and staff that consistently inspire students to deliver superior academic and athletic achievement.

"The foundation of every school is made up of strong, stable leadership, and that is exactly what Hank has provided Highland School for the last seven years," said Tim Dunn, chairman of Highland's Board of Trustees. "The positive changes Hank has overseen are simply breathtaking. The expansion of our facilities, the improvement of our academic programs, and the quality of our faculty and staff are all thanks to his leadership, and we are pleased that his commitment has been extended for several more years, at least."

Berg has spent the last 34 years working at area independent schools, holding positions ranging from science teacher to head of school. He's also serving as Vice President / President Elect of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, and is on track to serve as the organization's president for one year starting in July 2014.

"It has been a great opportunity and privilege to be at Highland at a time when we are building the school program and facilities of the future," Berg said. "The community of faculty, staff, students and parents is just terrific and the quality of life in Warrenton is unbeatable."

Hill School Announces Junior Kindergarten Program

The Hill School of Middleburg, Virginia, has announced the creation of a new junior kindergarten program for 4- to 5-year-old students for the 2013-14 school year.

"We are delighted to better serve our current families and the greater community with this new junior kindergarten," Head of School Treavor Lord said. "We have been asked about this for years and are now pleased to provide families with an option for students not quite ready for our kindergarten."

The junior kindergarten will be a half-day program with an elective afternoon session.

Parents who wish to learn more about Hill School and the junior kindergarten program are encouraged to contact Kelly Johnson (540-687-5897 or kjohnson@thehillschool.org) and attend an information session at Hill on Wednesday, February 27 (at 9 a.m. or 7 p.m.)

The goal of a Hill School education is to build character, self-confidence, and scholarship through academic and co-curricular excellence, individualized attention, and a strong sense of community.