LIFE in the Classroom: Highcrest School Principal Kris DeLeo
- Mark Jahne
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
by Mark Jahne
Editor
Photos by Mark Jahne
Kris DeLeo came to town at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year to fill a vacancy for principal at Highcrest School. She is learning about the school and community and is confident that she made a wise choice.
“Kris brings a high degree of energy and positivity. She came to us as a very experienced and successful principal from Bristol,” Superintendent of Schools Jeff Wihbey said.
“She shepherded her previous school to become the Connecticut Association of Schools School of the Year Award. I have been impressed with her vast knowledge about teaching and learning and am looking forward to her continuing growth of the Highcrest School community.”
“I was a teacher in Waterbury for 14 years. I taught reading, grade 3 and grade 4,” DeLeo said.
She then worked for the state Department of Education dealing with boys from grade 7 up to young men the age of 25 at the former Connecticut Juvenile Training School.
“I was the dean of students and handled all the discipline,” DeLeo said.
That was followed by three years as assistant principal and another seven years as principal of Hubbell Elementary School in Bristol. It was honored by the CAS with its Elementary School of the Year Award in 2022.
Hubbell was also named a state school of distinction for literacy.
The married mother of three grew up in Waterbury and has lived in Watertown for the past 27 years. She was looking to make a change and applied for the Highcrest job.
“I worked with David Huber in Bristol,” she said.
Huber is the principal at Charles Wright School.
“I love it here. I’m super positive. It’s not an act,” DeLeo said.
She added that she loves to coach, build support and build staff capacity.
She earned a B.A. degree in English from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in elementary education with a focus on literacy from the University of St. Joseph. She then secured her sixth-year degree in educational leadership from the University of Bridgeport.
She spoke about having coffee with a group of parents and how much she wants them to participate in the school. The PTO planted tulips and parents organized such events as a “Jingle Bell Run” and “Pajama Day” that raised more than $1,000 and more than 300 toys for the Connecticut Childrens Medical Center.
“My big focus right now is working with teachers … to ensure that every student in the school is moving forward,” she said. “The focus is always on student achievement and learning.”
Strategies include providing behavioral incentives and encouragement to persevere. Academic rigor is the goal and she favors a gradual release of responsibility to the students.
“It has been an exciting and meaningful experience to join a school community with such a strong foundation and deep pride. One of my top priorities has been listening to all stakeholders: students, staff, families and community members,” DeLeo said.
“Parents have shared how much they value being active partners in their children’s education and I have heard clearly the desire to be back in the building like it was a long time ago, working alongside their children, doing crafts, participating in activities, and sharing in the everyday moments that make elementary school so special.
“We recently began a grade-level winter activity event that brought together all grade levels and families in our building. It was wonderful to see students and families learning, creating and celebrating together,” she added.
“Our teachers and support staff are passionate, dedicated and deeply committed to students. Their willingness to collaborate, reflect and continuously grow has been inspiring, and it is an honor to work alongside such a talented and caring team each day.
“Spending time in classrooms, hallways and school activities has allowed me to see firsthand their curiosity, kindness, resilience and excitement for learning. Building strong relationships with students is one of the most rewarding parts of my role and their voices help guide the decisions we make each day,” DeLeo said.
“Instruction and student engagement in the classroom remain at the heart of our work. Our teachers are dedicated to creating learning experiences that are both rigorous and engaging while fostering curiosity, creativity and a love of learning.
“Equally important is building a positive climate and culture where students feel safe, supported and challenged. We hold high expectations for all students and believe every child can grow academically and socially when provided with the right support and opportunities,” she added.
“We are committed to ensuring every student is supported in meeting their personal academic and social-emotional goals. We are intentionally seeking out meaningful opportunities for growth, both for students and staff, while remaining focused on what is best for kids,” DeLeo said.
“One example of this work is the redesign of our WIN (What I Need) block. Using data to guide our instructional focus, we are refining this time to better meet students’ individual needs through targeted intervention, enrichment and acceleration. This approach allows us to respond thoughtfully to where students are and help them continue to grow.”