Colley Wood Bell III in his new role as Head of School, will lead the school. Colley grew up in Hunt Country whenever they visited Washington D.C. to see his grandmother's family farm, Lombardy, in Leesburg, Virginia.

"I remember so well his explaining my Hunt Country heritage and learning how much he loved this area," Colley remembered. "When the opportunity to return to this area was presented, I have to admit that my family connection was a big part of what drew me here."

The tall, handsome young gentleman who obviously loves his new school, trains his clear, sparkling eyes out his office window as he explains how fond his father was of telling him about all his family history in this area.

"There is another farm nearby, Barrymore, that was also in our family, and an Anglican Church still stands in Marshall that my ancestors had a large hand in building."

His father, an Episcopal Minister, was head of Margaret Hall, a girls' school in Versailles, Kentucky.

"That's where I grew up, so I began to understand and appreciate the private school experience very early in my life."

When the Middleburg Academy board of trustees announced that Colley had accepted their invitation to lead the school, their delight was obvious:

"We are excited to draw upon Mr. Bell's lifelong love of independent schools and his demonstrated leadership qualities. Everyone we've spoken to who has worked with Colley invariably describes him as an engaging and motivating figure, one who succeeds at getting people to accomplish challenging things.

"Moreover, his strengths in management, finance, and community-building, as well as in the development of 21st century focused curriculum and technology, assured us that Colley is the right person to take Middleburg Academy into the future."

Colley has served since 2008 as Head of School at NansemondSuffolk Academy, a 750-student PK-12 independent school in Suffolk, Virginia. Prior to that, he was Assistant Headmaster at Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Delaware.

His independent school career, which began in 1984, has also included teaching, coaching, and administrative positions in Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and New York.

Colley's wife, Edwina G. Bell, was Director of Development and Communications for the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk where she concluded a $43 million development campaign before she left to come to Middleburg.

Together with their eleven-year old son, Colley Bell IV, they will make their new home in the Headmaster's Carriage House on the Middleburg Academy campus.

"Middleburg Academy's mission and vision are very much in keeping with my own beliefs," said Colley. "It is a school that captures you in a very personal way through a vibrancy that is contagious.

"I have found here a community of faculty, students, parents, staff, and trustees that is emphatically committed to every facet of a vigorous and meaningful independent school experience. I feel so privileged to serve Middleburg Academy as its next Head of School."

Clearly, he knows well how important teachers and administrators can be to the students under their guidance and supervision.

"Some of my most important principles were instilled in me by my Latin teacher at Margaret Hall. Mrs. Elisabeth Freeland gave me instruction not only in Latin, she taught me the value of attaining difficult goals and of appreciating every individual's effort to do the same."

Student leadership skills are critical for a viable and robust campus community, according to Colley.

"I intend to teach this year to ensure that I really learn about student concerns and challenges from the students themselves. We are here to help them achieve their goals and overcome their fears, I need to learn about those from them.

"We are simply stewards who have an opportunity to encourage greatness of mind and of spirit. I am honored to be part of a new era at Middleburg Academy."