Woodlawn School Announces Holly Honeycutt as Next Head of School

Written on 07 September 2022.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – The Board of Trustees of Woodlawn School, an independent PreK-12 school, today, announced that Holly Honeycutt will become the next head of school effective July 1, 2023. Honeycutt, who currently serves as Associate Head of School, will succeed Paul Zanowski upon his retirement at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

“I am honored and humbled to be given this opportunity on the 20th anniversary of Woodlawn School. A thoughtful and intentional design of a community that inspires those that attend, as well as those who have the privilege to serve. The Woodlawn Way embodies mutual trust and respect, authentic and purpose-driven learning, and seeks to listen, engage, and connect with everyone in our vibrant community. Our unique and powerful mission, philosophy, and vision inspires life-long learning, values partnerships, and cultivates a sense of agency and efficacy in our young alumni - that they too can make a meaningful impact in their community and our society at large.“ – Holly Honeycutt

Honeycutt is currently serving as Woodlawn’s Associate Head of School and manages the daily operations of faculty and staff. She joined Woodlawn in 2015 as School Psychologist and Counselor, quickly demonstrated exceptional management and organizational capabilities and advanced in the leadership team, serving as both Head of Lower School and Head of Middle School, while providing leadership to the Upper School.

During her tenure at Woodlawn School, Honeycutt has been an advocate and collaborative leader for the advancement of project-based learning both at Woodlawn School and in the larger community. She has successfully launched the Pre-K Explorers Early Childhood Program and led the innovative new Foundations & Futures program which prepares Upper School students for success in college and beyond.

Honeycutt earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Political Science and then completed a Master of Arts in Counseling with a Certification of Specialization in School Counseling (SSP). She also earned a Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Winthrop University and is pursuing her Doctorate of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with expected completion in 2026. Holly is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), a North Carolina licensed school psychologist and certified school counselor. Before joining Woodlawn School, Honeycutt worked for a decade in Iredell-Statesville and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.

Honeycutt is a graduate of the inaugural class of the NCAIS Emerging Leaders Institute (2019-2020) and represented Woodlawn at last year’s NCAIS Heads and Trustee Conference (January 2022). Holly is currently enrolled in the SAIS New and Aspiring Heads Institute.

“Holly’s demonstrated leadership in project-based learning as well as the strengths of her existing relationships with the students, staff and the community made her a logical choice for this role. She is well-positioned to carry forward the momentum of our first 20 years and further our mission to produce independent, lifelong learners who are responsible, contributing members of a diverse global society.” – Lee Blakely, Chair, Woodlawn Board of Trustees

The Board Chair Letter Mr. Zanowski's Letter to the Community

Woodlawn School Gains New Basketball Court Due To Generous Donation

Written on 01 September 2022.

Woodlawn School’s Athletic Department Unveils a Brand New Basketball Court.

MOORESVILLE, NC - September 1, 2022 - Woodlawn School, an independent Pre-K - 12 school noted for project-based learning and academic excellence, is revealing its new basketball court that was made possible thanks to a generous, anonymous donor.

The court is featured inside Woodlawn’s Red Barn, which is home to the Trailblazer Gym. It is located on the north end of the 61-acre historic campus and is the central hub for athletics, Life Sports classes, Family Tree activities, and all-school assemblies. Woodlawn School competes in the Southern Piedmont Athletic Association and is a 1A member of NCISAA. There are eight middle school athletic offerings and 13 Varsity sports.

The newly designed maple wood court includes the traditional Woodlawn green and white colors. Center court showcases the Woodlawn “W” and the sides of the court display the school name. The basketball court is one of many improvements that are being funded by the 2022 fundraising Gala and generous donors.

"The new gym floor is an excellent example of the school's commitment to enhancing the student experience. It's a commitment shared by our parents, grandparents, alumni, our faculty, and our board. The Gala's Paddle Raise to fund Teacher Wish Lists and Campus Improvements inspired an anonymous donor to fund the new hardwood floor in our gym. Every Woodlawn student benefits from the passion and commitment of our community. In every way, our school is growing and achieving new levels of excellence,” said Paul Zanowski, Head of School.

"Wow, what an incredible and generous gift to the community! The new floor will reduce injuries, improve performance and elevate our athletic program. Special thanks to the donor that made this possible! They have set an example of how we, as parents and alumni, can give back to the community," said Lee Blakely, Woodlawn School Board Chair.

State of the School Video Message & Summary of Main Points

Written on 16 February 2022.

I am happy to share this link to our State of the School video message, and to provide an executive summary.

The State of the School focuses on using the January survey of our parents, faculty, and students in grades 7 – 12 to help our community identify areas of strengths and weakness and help us chart a path of growth and improvement.

We are a culture of high expectations – we want the best for our students – and our commitment to lifelong learning means we are committed to constant improvement for Woodlawn, gathering valuable information and using it to build on strengths and improve weaknesses.

Woodlawn School Announces First Recipient of Mayre Jorges Bowman Scholarship

Written on 27 October 2021.

Jayden Crowell, a freshman at Woodlawn School, is the first student selected to receive a Woodlawn tuition scholarship.

Mr. Don Bowman, Jayden Crowell, Mrs. Carolyn Bowman

MOORESVILLE, NC - October 27, 2021 - Woodlawn School, an independent PreK-12 school noted for project-based learning and academic excellence, has named Jayden Crowell as its first recipient of the Mayre Jorges Bowman Scholarship, which is awarded to one 9th grade student applicant each year.

Mr. Don Bowman created the Mayre Jorges Bowman Scholarship to honor the life, values, and love of learning held by his late wife, Mrs. Mayre Jorges Bowman. Mrs. Bowman's life embodied the values and ideals expressed in Woodlawn's mission; she was known for her compassion, tolerance, and respect for others. She was a lifelong learner who cultivated in her children those habits of mind - intellectual curiosity, diligence, and the search for truth - that are essential elements of independent lifelong learning.

Woodlawn School Adds New Preschool Program

Written on 23 June 2021.

Explorers Program for Ages Four and Five to Launch This Year

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – June 23, 2021 – Woodlawn School, an independent K-12 school noted for project-based learning and academic excellence, is launching a new early childhood development program - Woodlawn Explorers Preschool. Designed for children ages 4 and 5, Explorers Preschool embraces the Woodlawn “whole child” approach to learning, and making sure that its students are prepared socially and academically for kindergarten.

“The new program and its responsive classroom approach are natural extensions of all we do at Woodlawn,” said Holly Honeycutt, Woodlawn School Head of Lower School. “Explorers Preschool is all about creating a supportive environment that nurtures adaptive, respectful and emotionally intelligent young students who are eager and ready to learn."

Woodlawn Welcomes Kevin Coale Assistant Director of Middle School

Written on 06 May 2021.

KevinCoale bio Please meet the newest member of our team, Kevin Coale. Kevin will serve as Assistant Director of the Middle School working in conjunction with Holly Honeycutt.

We first met Kevin as a candidate for the Athletic Director position. Everyone who met him quickly realized he would be an excellent candidate for many roles at our school. He has fourteen years of experience teaching History, and his special passion is teaching Middle School students. He has served as a Dean of Students, directed International programs, led Capstone curriculums, and created Middle and Upper School Student Leadership curriculums focused on hands-on, student-led, “learning by leading,” experiential approaches to coaching and nurturing the multifaceted elements of leadership that benefit all children.