Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Encourage and teach with patience

Bishop Paul S. Loverde has named Kathleen Ryan Prebble as the new president of Bishop O’Connell High School, Arlington.

“A model of scholastic achievement and Catholic identity, Bishop O’Connell High School has been blessed with strong leadership since its foundation in 1957. I welcome Kathleen Ryan Prebble and I am confident that O’Connell will benefit from her direction and guidance,” said Bishop Loverde.

After the resignation of President Barry Breen in December 2009, a search committee, including members of O’Connell’s Board of Governors, as well as parents, alumni and diocesan officials, was formed to find a new president.

“After research and interviews,” said Chairman of the Board of Governors Kevin Fay, “It was clear that Kathleen Ryan Prebble clearly understood our mission and that she will help us promote academic excellence, spiritual devotion and the diversity of experience necessary for educational success in the 21st century.”

Prebble has many years of experience as a Catholic educator, including positions as a teacher, dean of students and an assistant head of school. Since 2002, she has served as president of Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Ga., a college preparatory school operated under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy. During this period, she completed capital campaigns that resulted in new and renovated facilities, established endowments for faculty and student programs and increased tuition assistance by over 600 percent.

Prebble also reincorporated the sixth grade into the middle school; established an after-school program; and increased professional development budgets and participation by over 50 percent. As a result of her efforts, the school received dual accreditation for SACS/SAIS (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/The Southern Association of Independent Schools) in 2007, has produced the largest number of National Merit semi-finalists in any private or public school in Middle Georgia since 2003 and won the Civic Education Award in 2006.

As president of Bishop O’Connell High School, Prebble will be the highest-ranking administrator at the school and responsible for maintaining the school’s Catholic identity, developing and executing a long-term strategic plan, directing marketing and public relations efforts and monitoring facilities as well as financial development programs.

Prebble said, “I am excited and honored to be part of the O’Connell community and look forward to working with the students, parents, faculty, Board of Governors and Diocese of Arlington.  It is clear to me that the school has had a wonderful impact on the community over the years and I am excited to work to help lead the school into the future.”

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Over 425,000 registered Catholics belong to the 68 parishes of the Arlington Diocese, which has opened six new parishes, five new schools, and established three new missions since 1999.  Further information can be found at www.arlingtondiocese.org and on the diocesan blog at www.encourageandteach.wordpress.com.