When Dr. Adaarema Kelly walked into Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School for the first time, she immediately felt the energy of a school rooted in community pride. “The staff is deeply dedicated, families are engaged, and students are eager to grow and shine,” she said. “That sense of belonging is what makes Jefferson-Houston so special.”

Kelly’s path to leadership spans continents and classrooms. Born in Accra, Ghana, and raised in West Philadelphia, she also spent part of her teen years in Hong Kong, graduating high school overseas. “Living in different places gave me a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives early on,” she said.

After attending Susquehanna University and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Kelly went on to earn advanced degrees and a doctorate from The George Washington University. Her career has included roles as a special education teacher, Advancement Via Individual Determination site coordinator, assistant principal, and principal. Each step, she said, reinforced her belief that all students deserve access to excellent opportunities.

Kelly comes to Jefferson-Houston after serving as principal at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary, where she helped boost student achievement and strengthen instructional practices. At Jefferson-Houston, her long-term vision is clear: achieve full accreditation, improve student performance across all content areas, and build a culture of excellence.

She wants to strengthen professional learning communities, ensure teachers have the resources to succeed, and guide students to think critically and act responsibly. “Most importantly,” she said, “I want every student and family to feel proud of their school and confident we are preparing children for lifelong success.”

Taking on a new school comes with challenges. For Kelly, the biggest is balancing the need to listen and learn with the urgency of moving Jefferson-Houston forward. “The challenge lies in making big, necessary changes while honoring the incredible work that’s already been done,” she said.

Still, the transition from Samuel W. Tucker to Jefferson-Houston has been smooth thanks to a welcoming community. “The scale and scope are larger here, but my mission remains the same: build strong relationships, support excellent teaching, and ensure every child succeeds.”

Family engagement, Kelly believes, is the foundation of a thriving school. At Samuel W. Tucker, she worked closely with parents to build trust and create meaningful partnerships. She’s bringing the same approach to Jefferson-Houston.

“The Del Ray community is vibrant and deeply invested in the school,” she said. “My goal is to create open and consistent lines of communication, so families feel valued, informed, and heard.”

Whether through ParentSquare updates, open houses, or community events like the Jaguar Cup Challenge, Kelly wants parents to feel like full partners in shaping the school’s future.