After over five years of planning and construction, Stafford’s brand new Hartwood High School will finally be opening to students this fall for the 2026-2027 school year. Having accepted the position as Hartwood’s first principal, Michael Kelly is determined to create a strong and welcoming learning environment for all students making the shift from their current schools.
“I opened up a middle school in my second year of teaching and I really enjoyed that experience, so I thought what a great opportunity [it is] to close up my career by opening up a new high school,” Kelly shares.
Knowing that Stafford hasn’t established a new high school in more than 20 years, he is eager to fulfill the high standards set for Hartwood. He expresses how the school board is booming with excitement.
Kelly feels confident that the staff they have hired have the ability to soar beyond their expectations, stating, “We’ve been interviewing staff since November, and the amount of teachers that have applied for positions and support staff, and their excitement and skill level, is just amazing. I know we are building an incredibly strong staff, and it’s going to be fun to see how they work with the kids.¨
He is looking forward to seeing how the students bring Hartwood to life, claiming that they play a primary role within the school community.
As a principal, Kelly’s main priority is connecting with students and making them feel at home. When asked how his colleagues would most likely describe him, he says, “Supportive—I hope visionary, collaborative—involved is probably a really good one too; you will see me at all the events. It doesn’t matter if it’s a music production or an athletic performance—you’ll see me there, and most importantly, student-focused.”
If his students are passionate about something, he is there to support them. “I talk to the students, I talk to the athletes, I talk to the members of the band—I’ve never been someone who could play an instrument, but even at my last school I had someone trying to teach me how to play a Tuba,” he shares.
Making a switch from one high school to another is not an easy change, and Kelly strongly empathizes with the students coming to Hartwood this fall. Having moved from Western Canada to Pittsburg in the middle of his junior year, he says, “I kind of know the anxiety they are feeling, but I also know how well it worked out for me and I know it’s gonna be a great experience for them as well.” Students won’t have to feel alone knowing they have a leader who is aware of what they’re experiencing. Kelly is more than prepared to surround them with all of the encouragement they need.
Kelly is deeply enthusiastic to welcome the kids into their new home away from home, and to build traditions and memories together along the way.
