A new president takes the helm of the Schools of St. Mary in Manhasset this week.
After a comprehensive search, the Schools of St. Mary search committee appointed Joseph R. McCleary as the schools’ new president, succeeding Grace M. Cavallo, who served as the inaugural president from 2010 until her retirement this summer.
An installation mass and welcome reception will be held in McCleary’s honor at noon Oct. 22 in the Church of St. Mary.
The Schools of St. Mary consist of two parochial institutions, St. Mary’s Elementary School and St. Mary’s High School, serving approximately 900 students from nursery school through high school.
McCleary has more than 30 years of leadership experience in public and private schools with positions ranging from teacher to headmaster and president, according to a news release.
“My philosophy of education is rooted in the premise that young people flourish best in schools that provide a culture and climate focused on character and intellect, where each person is known and cared for as an individual, and ideally where the grace of the sacraments, opportunities for service, formation in Christian doctrine, and prayer are available to all,” McCleary said.
McCleary attended Catholic schools before college and taught in Catholic schools for more than 20 years. He received his Ph.D. in English from the Catholic University of America and also holds a master’s degree in English from Georgetown University as well as a bachelor’s degree in English from Towson University.
McCleary joins St. Mary’s from the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough, Massachusetts, where he served as executive director overseeing faculty, staff and 970 students in grades 6-12. The school was rated as one of the best in the state by Boston Magazine last year under his leadership.
McCleary also led the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, which won national rankings in Newsweek and The Washington Post for six consecutive years.
He was also founding director of the first international college preparatory charter school in Lowell, Massachusetts, where enrollment increased 30 percent and the parent satisfaction rating was 94 percent.
“The history of initiatives set forward and executed by Dr. McCleary for academic standards, curriculum, enrollment, and development during his career is exemplary and speaks volumes about the work ahead of us in sustaining the future of the Schools of St. Mary,” said the Rev. Robert A. Romeo, pastor of the Church of St. Mary.
“I am very eager to begin this new journey with Dr. McCleary as our president and witnessing the continued positive growth and strength of our community. I am confident that our students will continue to flourish under his tenure and our faculty will reach new heights in educating our children.”
