West Catholic Preparatory High School announces that Mr. James P. Gallagher has been selected as the next Principal of the 98-year old Catholic High School. Mr. Gallagher is the first lay Principal in the history of the School.
Initially working in business, Mr. Gallagher has spent the past ten years in urban education. He will replace Sr. Mary Bur, IHM, who will retire at the end of the academic year after 21 years as the academic leader and 27 total years of service to the school.
West Catholic Prep President Brother Richard Kestler, FSC said he finds Mr. Gallagher to be a “deeply spiritual man with a desire to bring the very best to his students.” Br. Richard adds, “Mr. Gallagher brings an enthusiasm and openness to his new responsibility” and that his “innovative and whatever-it-takes attitude will reinforce our academic profile in Philadelphia and beyond.”
A search and selection committee consisted of a representative from all constituencies, including; parents, students, teachers, Board Members, and other key stakeholders including the Faith in the Future Foundation and Archdiocese. The selection committee vetted various applicants, some international, and narrowed it down to three finalists. Brother Richard and the school’s Board of Trustees made the final call to hire Mr. Gallagher.
Mr. Gallagher spent his first five years as an educator at Young Scholars Charter School in Philadelphia teaching science. He was also a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team which addressed academic performance, student behavior, and school culture concerns and initiatives. Currently, Mr. Gallagher works within the School District of Philadelphia at Lingelbach Elementary School as a science and math teacher, and is also an Instructor at St. Joseph’s University where he trains students in current educational strategies for effective teaching.
“West Catholic Prep has a rich tradition of educating young men and women in the Philadelphia area. There is real excitement over the recommitment to the school by the Board, benefactors, the Faith in the Future Foundation and Archdiocese, faculty and staff, and alums to continue to deliver a quality Catholic education to the children of Philadelphia”, says Gallagher. “I am impressed with the way the school serves its students’ best interests by delivering a quality education that challenges them academically and engages them spiritually”, he added. Mr. Gallagher will officially assume the position on July 1.
A new Principal will be the latest in a series of changes over the past three years for the school. Since July of 2012, the school has welcomed a new President, Vice President, Vice Principal, Advancement, Admissions, and Counseling personnel, a new Board of Trustees, a Strategic Plan, a new school name (Preparatory), and various physical enhancements. Enrollment and fundraising growth has been consistent over that time as well.
Mr. Gallagher is a Catholic and is a member of St. Margaret’s Parish in Narberth. He has four children; Bethey (16), Denis (13), Martin & Kathryn (11), and his wife Elizabeth is the Associate Director of Academics of the Alliance for Catholic Education Program at St. Joseph’s University. Mr. Gallagher coaches track and basketball at St. Margret’s.