A Massachusetts educator has been named St. Joseph’s High School’s incoming principal, following the retirement of Kenneth Mayo.
Most Reverend Frank Caggiano, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport has appointed James P. Keane, Ph.D., of Medway, Mass., as the next principal of St. Joseph High. Dr. Keane will follow Mayo, who is retiring after thirty-eight years of service.
Keane is currently Vice Principal of Academic Affairs at Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, Mass., where he has served for nineteen years. He has earned a reputation in Boston as a strong leader, an innovator, and a collaborative change agent, according to the school.
A published academic and member of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the American Academy of Religion, Keane holds a B.A. from Iona College, a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, a Master degree in Educational Administration from Emmanuel College, and a doctorate from Marquette University.
According to St. Joseph High School, Keane led several innovative programs at Catholic Memorial, including the cross-cultural Brother Edmund Rice Solidarity Initiative that provided students with domestic and international service immersion opportunities.
“With a proven track record in curriculum development, Keane has championed efforts to enhance academic rigor and to expand AP course offerings,” an announcement from the school reads. “He has also travelled the world and developed expertise in the area of international education. In 2013, he was featured in a documentary on international education produced and broadcast by Chinese National Television.”
Dr. Keane was the preferred choice of the search committee and was strongly endorsed by the Board of Director’s Executive Committee. After spending a day with the faculty and students, and the diocese, Keane emerged as the individual to lead St Joseph High School in advancing its Catholic college preparatory mission, according to officials. Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, PhD, Superintendent of Schools, accepted the school's recommendation and presented the candidate to Bishop Caggiano.
Keane will join the team at St. Joseph High School on July 15, and will be relocating to Connecticut with his wife, Eileen, and their children. A formal welcome by the school community is scheduled for September.