Letter From the President

Dear Academy Family,

The best way that I can categorize this school year — a year that includes a celebration of the Academy of the Holy Names’ 140th anniversary and a pivotal time when our community welcomed a new leader in myself as president — is with tradition and opportunity. The Academy of the Holy Names is time-tested and unwavering in its commitment toward a holistic, faith-based education. Still, AHN is poised for the future and ready to build on the success and momentum of the past decade.

It is a sacred and privileged task to steward a learning environment in which our boys, girls and young women learn about the world, come to know themselves and God, and live with and for others. This labor of love was modeled by our foundress, Blessed Marie Rose Durocher. Guided by the Sisters of the Holy Names, I am honored to play a part in preserving and enhancing our independent, Catholic and SNJM identity.

I look forward to executing the Sisters’ vision with colleagues on our board, leadership team, faculty and staff, and with you.

My first year as president has been about learning and listening to anyone and everyone. The legendary coach John Wooden said it best when he noted, “Good leadership is the ability to listen — really listen — to those in your organization. An effective leader is very good at listening, and it’s difficult to listen when you are talking.” I have taken this advice to heart and put it into practice, having met one-on-one with more than 50 benefactors, nearly each of the 160 faculty and staff members, and more than 400 current parents who attended grade-level meet-and-greets this past fall. These events were hosted by gracious and loyal Academy families, and the welcome and goodwill have been inspiring. I have also attended every event possible in the first half of the school year — often wishing I could be in several places at the same time — and have enjoyed every minute of it thus far.

In the second half of my first year, I plan to continue to climb the proverbial ladder, all the while, navigating the learning curve, as the landscape of education is an exciting and ever-evolving reality. I have so many more wonderful Academy people to meet and perspectives to learn about — most notably our current students and alumni. I am excited to share that we have commenced the process of creating our next five-year strategic plan. This process will provide us with an opportunity to more formally engage and collaborate with all Academy parents, alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends. After vetting numerous consultants, we have secured the firm Partners in Mission to lead our process. Partners in Mission is the premier professional services firm for advancing the mission of Catholic education. We anticipate the new strategic plan will be ready by January 2023, and it will serve as our guiding vision for the years to follow.

As we plan to move forward with forming a new vision for Academy’s future, I am equally excited to share that the Board of Trustees has approved proceeding this summer with the renovation of the lower school, which serves the pre-K through 4th grade. This 10-week project will encompass the entire first floor of the Bayshore building and will complete the final phase of the current campus master plan. Past and future donations will fund the renovation that will significantly enhance our learning spaces and programmatic goals. This edition of the Accord includes renderings and naming opportunities for all who desire to partner with us on this critical endeavor.

The Academy of the Holy Names is a special place. I am committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the time for our students, as Blessed Marie Rose taught us. As we honor the tradition established over the past 140 years, I look forward to exploring the opportunities that lie ahead with you. I ask for your prayers, and I assure you and your family of mine.

Sincerely,

Kevin P. Whitney President