Sister McCarron will lead 54 Catholic schools across Frederick County and other jurisdictions in the state with a total enrollment of 25,000 students.
Baltimore, MD – Sister Patricia McCarron, S.S.N.D., Ph.D., will lead Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, supporting as superintendent the 54 schools that enroll nearly 25,000 students, Archbishop William E. Lori announced Thursday.McCarron, a School Sister of Notre Dame for 35 years who holds a doctorate in educational administration and policy from The Catholic University of America, has served as the longtime head of school for Notre Dame Preparatory School (NDP) in Towson.“Throughout Sister Patricia’s exceptional academic career in Catholic education, she has taken deliberate steps to nurture the whole child: academically, spiritually, morally and physically,” the Archbishop said. “Sister Patricia is known for being a high-energy leader and a skilled administrator who is dedicated to Christ.“As our next superintendent, Sister Patricia’s extensive experience, innovative approach to learning and deep faith will allow the students and our Catholic schools to continue to flourish.”She will start the position in August, succeeding Dr. Donna Hargens who will retire at the end of the school year after leading the Department of Catholic Schools since 2018.“It is a great feeling to be part of a school system that provides a Christ-centered education that is academically excellent and empowers students to reach their full potential,” said McCarron. “I am looking forward to partnering with parents and the many outstanding educators, priests and men and women religious, under the direction of Archbishop William E. Lori and Chancellor Greg Farno, to build upon the excellence of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic schools all for the benefit of our wonderful students.”McCarron was named after a successful five-month national search conducted by Catholic Recruiter Associates and chaired by long time educator and community leader Dr. Nancy Grasmick.“She has spent her life really fostering excellence,” said Dr. Grasmick, presidential scholar at Towson University and former Maryland public school superintendent. “She presents herself as a person who is absolutely dedicated to the success of students, and she brings tremendous experience in leading principals and teachers. We are very fortunate to have someone with the myriad of credentials and talents she possesses.”As head of school since 2005, McCarron led NDP to record enrollment this school year with nearly 850 students while steadily increasing the diversity of the student body. During her tenure, Notre Dame Prep received the National Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award twice. She has also spearheaded multiple fundraising campaigns that invested in faculty and staff and expanded the school campus with the addition and renovation of the academic, fine arts and athletic facilities.McCarron’s previous roles have included administrative intern at Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland, a mathematics teacher at NDP, assistant principal at the former Seton Keough High School and a professor of education and rising to an associate academic dean at Notre Dame of Maryland University. As a Ph.D. student, she served as the supervisor of student teachers at The Catholic University of America.“We are honored to have Sister Patricia join us as the Superintendent of Schools upon the retirement of Dr. Donna Hargens,” said Greg Farno, chancellor of education at the Archdiocese of Baltimore. “Her commitment to both Catholic identity and academic excellence is unparalleled.”Over the years, she’s served on numerous committees, boards and advisory groups that benefit the Catholic community and region, including the Internal Review Board of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland Board of Governors. Sister Patricia is a recognized speaker locally and nationally on topics such as Catholic identity and Catholic school leadership. Her efforts have drawn many accolades, both for NDP and for her personally, including the National Catholic Educational Association’s Educational Excellence Award and The Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence recognition for thrice being named into Baltimore’s Top 100 Women.Hargens ends her tenure as superintendent as five Archdiocesan schools received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award. The schools represented 12% of all non-public schools across the country to join the 2024 honorees. During her time at the helm, Hargens also guided schools through the COVID-19 global pandemic, ensured the distinguished Cognia re-accreditation of local Catholic schools through 2027 and opened the Mother Mary Lange Catholic School in 2021, a $25 million investment and the first new Catholic school in Baltimore City in six decades.Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore span much of the state, including Baltimore City and Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard and Washington counties. There are 40 elementary and middle schools, 34 of which are Archdiocesan and six are independent; and 16 high schools, four Archdiocesan and 12 independents.
