NEW YORK, June 14, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- St. Aloysius School, an innovative, pre-kindergarten through eighth grade Catholic, Jesuit school, located in Central Harlem, whose mission is to educate at-risk inner-city children, has named Thomas D. Harvey its new President.
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Mr. Harvey's appointment comes after an extensive, national search begun last fall by the School's Search Committee and Wickenden Associates. More than 90 individuals were contacted personally by Wickenden Associates during the search; there were ten final candidates.
Mr. Harvey will assume his duties in July 2011.
Ed Duffy, Chair of St. Aloysius School's Board of Trustees, said, "Tom has extensive experience and exceptional expertise in the education field, combined with tremendous energy and charm. We are confident that he will provide St. Aloysius with wise and strong leadership."
John Lavagnino will continue to lead the school through the balance of this fiscal year. "This two months of overlap will ensure a smooth transition," Mr. Duffy said. "We thank John for his caring and committed leadership and wish him well."
Tom Harvey stated, "St. Aloysius is an extraordinary school. I'm honored and privileged to be its new president. I look forward to working with St. Al's constituents—especially the students, but also, of course, the faculty, administration, parents, the board, the School's generous donors and the community—on supporting and advancing this extraordinary institution's mission."
Mr. Harvey was recruited from Hampton Roads Academy in Newport News, Virginia, where he was Headmaster of this PK-12 co-educational day school for nine years. During his career, he has led three other schools: Mounds Park Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota; Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Illinois and Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, Missouri. He served in teaching and other capacities at three others: Poly Prep in Brooklyn, New York; The Rivers School in Weston, Massachusetts; and St. Peter's School in Peekskill, New York.
During his more than 40 years as an educator and administrator in independent schools, Mr. Harvey has held positions in nearly every facet of school operations. He has taught Latin and chaired a department, coached football and wrestling, managed guidance and advised the student council. While serving as assistant headmaster of external affairs at Poly Prep, a 700-student 6-12 grade school in Brooklyn, he was responsible for public relations, college guidance, development and summer programs.
At Hampton Roads Academy, Mr. Harvey's notable projects include a merger with Hampton Roads Country Day that took the Academy from a 6-12 to a PK-12 institution. He also led a capital campaign that provided funds for upper school construction, a gymnasium and a track. In addition, he developed and spearheaded the school's mission to develop the "whole child": academically, physically and morally. On the occasion of his departure, The Tom Harvey Endowment for Faculty Excellence has been established in Mr. Harvey's honor.
Mr. Harvey received his AB in Classics from St. Peter's College, his MALS from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Rockhurst College. He is a Klingenstein Fellow of Teachers College, Columbia University and has served on their advisory committee for 11 years. During the '08-'09 school year, he was an adjunct professor at Teachers College, mentoring administrators from independent schools.
A native of New York City, Mr. Harvey was an all-city football player at Xavier High School. He and his wife, Gabriela, enjoy hiking, gardening and going to the opera and symphony. They have traveled extensively throughout Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan. Mr. Harvey is an avid Mets fan.
About St. Aloysius School
St. Aloysius School is an innovative pre-kindergarten through eighth grade Catholic, Jesuit School located in Central Harlem. The School's mission is centered on educating at-risk inner-city children and teens from the greater Harlem community. Established in 1940, the educational program was re-envisioned in 1990 and the school transitioned this fall from an Archdiocesan parish school to an independent, Jesuit-sponsored school with a Board of Trustees. The School's holistic, academically challenging, arts- and literature-based curriculum is designed to address the needs of children with wide-ranging academic abilities and seeks to educate the "whole child" (in body, mind, and spirit). St. Aloysius School aims to form students of "competence, conscience and compassion" who will develop into young men and women who use their many gifts as leaders in service to their community. Students consistently achieve high proficiency on standardized exams and 100% of the School's graduates are accepted to private and magnet high schools. The School continues its support long after graduation, providing alumni with counseling, internships, college preparation, and even high school tuition assistance. In contrast to the 54% four-year high school graduation rate of New York City blacks, St. Aloysius School alumni maintain a 96% four-year high school graduation rate, and most go on to college. Private donations account for more than 80% of the school's operating budget.
St. Aloysius School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
For more information about St. Aloysius School or the support of education in Central Harlem, please visit the School's Website: www.staloysiusschool.org
