MANSFIELD — Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, Laurie McKeon will step down as the Head of School and transition to a member of the School Board.
McKeon has served as the Head of School since 2021, leading St. Peter’s through the pandemic and into a season of growth. A search begins for the new Head of School now.
McKeon says this position has been “one of the most rewarding of my career. With its long tradition of faith and excellence, St. Peter’s School is a beacon of hope for our community, serving a diverse and invested population.”
St. Peter’s enrollment had seen steady decline for years before McKeon took the helm and under her leadership the 2023-2024 school year has seen growth.
“I am very pleased with the strong progress St. Peter’s School has made over the past few years, on every front, spiritually, academically, socially, financially, and organizationally,” McKeon said. “We’ve added more rigorous courses to our curriculum, including Philosophy, Latin, Capstone, AP Psychology, and Genius Hour.
“We increased our STEM classes, and even created a dedicated Middle School for grades 6-8, providing an environment specifically structured for these emerging adolescents.
“Recognizing our obligation to educate the entire person, we added a Director of Theology and Student Formation and clarified our community expectations to ensure our students are equipped to make well-reasoned, moral choices in an increasingly complex world.
“In addition, we have been very intentional and proactive in responding to the educational and emotional impact of COVID. Our creative use of resources and programming have been extremely effective, providing increased math, literacy, and student support.
“Our data shows our efforts are working, and our students are succeeding academically, socially, and spiritually. Most importantly, I was incredibly fortunate to inherit a terrific staff, eager to operate from a growth mindset and always ready for the next challenge.”
According to School Board President Allie Watson, McKeon will remain connected to St. Peter’s School as a member of the School Board.
“This change in roles allows Laurie to continue supporting the positive momentum she has led over the last three years and support the new Head of School in their leadership,” Watson said.
A former St. Peter’s parent, McKeon said, “it continues to be a tremendous asset not only to our school and parish families, but to the entire Mansfield community. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve St. Peter’s and Mansfield as the first Head of School, and I am wholly invested in St. Peter’s very bright future.”
St. Peter’s School Board is conducting a search for its Head of School position. To learn more go to 2024 HOS job description
St. Peter’s School Board consists of President Allie Watson, Vice President Jim Smith, Secretary Terra Bonte, and Members Tom Fesler, Patti Kastelic, and Lyneal Wainwright.
Applicants can apply by emailing documentation to board@myspartans.org
St. Peter’s School
St. Peter’s School in Mansfield, Ohio is conducting a search for its Head of School. Founded in 1868, as a ministry of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, St. Peter’s School serves over 250 diverse students in grades pre-K-12, including a
Montessori Program. St. Peter’s provides educational programs in a Catholic-Christian environment for students of all races, creeds, and socioeconomic levels within and beyond Richland County.
Over the past five years, 93% of St. Peter’s graduates went on to attend a college or university.
St. Peter’s School is a Catholic community of grace, striving for excellence, where every student is known, valued, and loved.
Dedicated to educating the whole child, St. Peter’s School is looking for a creative, dynamic individual to continue these traditions and move the school forward in its attainment of excellence in all areas.