About
Head of School
Tyler Lewis joined Kimball Union Academy as Head of School in July 2019. Prior to his appointment, he spent four years as the Head of School at Bishop’s College School, an international boarding school in Quebec, Canada. Under his leadership, the school implemented a strategic plan and a comprehensive campus master plan, enrollment reached maximum capacity, and the annual fund nearly doubled.
His 25-year career in education includes working as both the Director of Admission at the Holderness School and as a teacher and coach at Blair Academy. He also spent five years as an educational consultant at Carney Sandoe and Associates in Boston. Tyler holds a BA in economics from Colby College and a master’s degree in leadership from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Tyler’s and his wife Renee, also a career educator and coach, live on campus with their three children, Ben '28, Finn, and Hadley.
His 25-year career in education includes working as both the Director of Admission at the Holderness School and as a teacher and coach at Blair Academy. He also spent five years as an educational consultant at Carney Sandoe and Associates in Boston. Tyler holds a BA in economics from Colby College and a master’s degree in leadership from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Tyler’s and his wife Renee, also a career educator and coach, live on campus with their three children, Ben '28, Finn, and Hadley.
Head of School Tyler Lewis
At KUA, we take the time to know and to appreciate every student. We invest in each individual by ensuring that their sense of belonging is unquestioned.
From the Head of School
Nothing reveals the character of a community more than adversity. As we have navigated the past year, laden with external challenges to education, difficult conversations around race and social justice, and a commitment to the health and wellbeing of ourselves and others, Kimball Union Academy stands proud when we look in the mirror. I have never been surrounded by as passionate a group of educators, committed to caring for one another, leaning in to difficult conversations, and always prioritizing the intellectual, social-emotional, and physical well-being of our students. It has been remarkable to see a storied, yet innovative academy grow through these challenges and truly emerge stronger by trusting guiding principles and living out our deep-rooted philosophy.
Good parental instincts lead us to many of the same conclusions that positive psychology research supports, including the understanding that if kids start from a foundation of respect, love, and support, they will do everything they try at a higher level. At KUA, we take the time to know and to appreciate every student. We invest in each individual by ensuring that their sense of belonging is unquestioned. Our thoughtfully designed academic approach, KUA Design, challenges every student where they are to redefine personal excellence in developing the knowledge, skills, and passion for lifelong learning.
Beyond academics, artists explore a wide range of mediums with integrated performances, student- athletes jump into the spectrum from learning new sports to competing for championships, and adventurers summit the top peaks of New England and get closer to the many offerings of our idyllic location. Here on The Hilltop, our students are developing a greater depth of understanding, refining skills, and developing passions through all their endeavors. I am certain that a deeper exploration of our community and of our unique educational approach will resonate with you in the same genuine and meaningful way that it has for me and for family. Hearing about guiding principles and educational philosophies can tell you only so much. I encourage you to visit us, dive deeper into our community, and discover a robust opportunity that awaits your student.
Tyler Lewis
Head of School
Good parental instincts lead us to many of the same conclusions that positive psychology research supports, including the understanding that if kids start from a foundation of respect, love, and support, they will do everything they try at a higher level. At KUA, we take the time to know and to appreciate every student. We invest in each individual by ensuring that their sense of belonging is unquestioned. Our thoughtfully designed academic approach, KUA Design, challenges every student where they are to redefine personal excellence in developing the knowledge, skills, and passion for lifelong learning.
Beyond academics, artists explore a wide range of mediums with integrated performances, student- athletes jump into the spectrum from learning new sports to competing for championships, and adventurers summit the top peaks of New England and get closer to the many offerings of our idyllic location. Here on The Hilltop, our students are developing a greater depth of understanding, refining skills, and developing passions through all their endeavors. I am certain that a deeper exploration of our community and of our unique educational approach will resonate with you in the same genuine and meaningful way that it has for me and for family. Hearing about guiding principles and educational philosophies can tell you only so much. I encourage you to visit us, dive deeper into our community, and discover a robust opportunity that awaits your student.
Tyler Lewis
Head of School
Letters to the Community
List of 6 news stories.
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Mourning the Loss of Macy Piersiak '25
Kimball Union Academy lost a beloved student and community member, Macy Piersiak '25. Macy passed away Sunday, November 10 in a motor vehicle accident at the age of 17.Read More -
Remembering Burke Ryder '23
Kimball Union Academy lost a beloved student and community member. Burke Ryder ’23 passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the age of 18 after a battle with cancer.Read More -
Welcome Home to KUA
I hope you have all had a healthy, active, and fun summer! There is a lot to catch up on and many updates have trickled through campus about summer jobs, family trips, and some great connections being made by many of our students – both returning and new.Read More -
January 2021 Letter to the Community
Read MoreIn August, we began an academic year with great uncertainty and met it head-on with careful planning, steady resilience, and the support of our great community. -
Supporting our BIPOC Community
Central to a feeling of being safe in a community is ensuring that each member of the community feels appreciated for who they are, feels empowered to be their authentic self, and therefore grows to be the best version of who they wish to be.Read More -
2020: The Year of Vision at KUA
It is great to be starting a new year here at KUA. And for some, myself included, this is our first full calendar year as part of this amazing community.Read More
