Full-Circle Moments at Calvary: Lily, Archer, and Violet’s Story
At Calvary Nursery School, we are continually reminded of the deep roots and lasting impact of our community. Some families find their way to us for the first time, while others return to the place where their own love of learning first began. Lily Bowles Leo is one of those returning families—an alumna who once walked our halls as a child and later entrusted us with the early education of her own children.
For Lily, the decision to enroll her children at Calvary was profoundly personal. She carried warm memories of a place that had nurtured her love of learning decades earlier.
"I remember things being really carefree and joyful and just feeling really cozy," she said. "I love school, and I credit a lot of that to starting at Calvary.”
That sense of warmth and belonging made a lasting impression on Lily, who went on to pursue an impressive academic path. After Calvary, she attended Katherine Delmar Burke School and then Deerfield Academy for boarding school before earning her undergraduate degrees from USC. She continued her education by earning her first Master’s in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience at Rutgers studying adult neurogenesis in animals, before she transitioned to science communications. Recently, she completed her second master's degree in science writing from Johns Hopkins University. She’s owned Corpus Callosum Consulting for twelve years where she translates complex science for general audiences.
When it came time to choose a preschool for her own children—son Archer, now a second grader at Town School, and daughter Violet, now in kindergarten at Katherine Delmar Burke School—Lily found herself drawn back to the place where her education began.
In a landscape of many excellent education options, Calvary stood apart to her with its enduring commitment to kindness and play-based learning. But for Lily, the true value of Calvary extends beyond academics. While Archer and Violet have certainly learned their letters and numbers at Calvary, Lily values most how the school has helped them develop confidence, independence, and social skills.
She fondly remembers realizing that the “snack prayer” complete with accompanying hand gestures is the same for her children as it was for her and her brother, Malcolm, decades earlier. These little traditions tie Calvary’s past to its present and future.
As her family reflects on their time at Calvary, Lily emphasizes what made the experience so special. “I think the teachers and staff are exceptional. They set a very high bar for what they look for in teachers, and they really have people who genuinely love kids and love what they do. You can feel it when you're there.”
For Lily Bowles Leo, Calvary represents not just the beginning of her own educational journey but a treasured chapter in her children's lives. It’s a place where learning is joyful, kindness is paramount, and childhood is honored in all its wonder.
