About

School Leadership

Mission Driven, Student Centered, Faith Based, Globally Focused

Leading with Grace

Since its founding in 1873, Notre Dame Preparatory School has offered a solid liberal arts-based curriculum while responding to the educational needs of the modern times. Today, NDP draws on the diverse leadership talents of Headmistress Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D., academic leaders, department directors, Board of Trustees, and the congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame as the school educates young women to transform the world.

A Message from the Headmistress

Grace in the Journey

May is a special time at Notre Dame Preparatory School. Amidst the many end-of-year recognition events and traditional spirit activities, May marks important milestones, most especially for our eighth graders and seniors. The Eighth Grade Closing Ceremony and Senior Graduation are memorable and poignant events symbolizing the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one.

May is also the Month of Mary, our Patroness, Notre Dame. It is in her example of saying “yes” to God, that we, the members of the Notre Dame Preparatory School community, say “yes” to providing a holistic, faithful, excellent education to young women. Ultimately, these young women will answer their own call to use their gifts and talents to make the world a better place. We look forward to accompanying them on their educational journey. In the spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, we offer every member of the NDP community this special blessing, written by SSND Foundress Blessed Mother Theresa of Jesus:

My dear students, I commend you to the Holy Spirit, through the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and I entrust you forever into her most blessed hands.

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Read Sister Patricia's Bio

Sister Patricia McCarron’s appointment as Notre Dame Preparatory School’s ninth headmistress, which began July 1, 2005, completes a remarkable circle: she started her professional career there as a faculty member in the mid-1980s and returned to lead the school 30 years later. Sister Patricia guides the NDP faculty and staff in its mission of educating young women to transform the world.

In the years that she has been headmistress, Sister Patricia has overseen remarkable growth at Notre Dame Preparatory School, including expanding academic and extra-curricular programs; implementing two strategic plans for the school; renovating the Middle Level and other campus spaces; steadily increasing the school’s annual fund and endowment; and continuing to raise the community's awareness of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and their commitment to service and justice in the world. Under her leadership, NDP has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2012 and again in 2020; a Top Workplace by The Baltimore Sun; A Baltimore Style and Daily Record Reader’s Top Choice School; and a Top Engineering Source School by University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering.

As a School Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Patricia is committed to empowering others through education. Before her appointment at NDP, Sister Patricia served as Associate Academic Dean at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Prior to that, she held administrative positions at both Bishop Walsh Middle/High School in Cumberland and at The Seton Keough High School in Baltimore.

Sister Patricia holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy from the Catholic University of America and an M.Ed. in Education Management and Supervision from Loyola College. She earned her undergraduate degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Sister Patricia is a recognized speaker on the topics of Catholic identity and Catholic school leadership. She is in The Daily Record’s “Circle of Excellence” for being named among the Top 100 Women in Maryland in 2008, 2010, and 2013. In 2014, she received the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA)’s Educational Excellence Award. She previously served on the Board of the Notre Dame of Maryland University (2014-2020) and currently serves on the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Child Abuse Review Board.

Board of Trustees

The Notre Dame Preparatory School Board of Trustees is comprised of dedicated professionals including alumnae, parents of alumnae, School Sisters of Notre Dame, and community leaders. Their commitment to the school is unparalleled, and we are grateful for their service.

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Notre Dame Preparatory School Board of Trustees

NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2022-2023
S. Jane Forni, SSND, Ed.D., Chairperson

Karyn Danielczyk Bauer, CPA '93
April Bell
William C. Benassi
James Brennan
Mark Buedel
Sister Jane Cayer, SSND
Victoria B. Chou, M.S., Ph.D. '92
Michael Constantine
Matthew C. Franke
William H. Fusting
Sister Mary Rose Gustatus, SSND
Melissa Kelly '85
Tracey Swam Kuhn '86
Lisa W. Petit, M.D. '98
John W. Schiech
Jennifer Brune Speargas '92
Sallie Sweeney, CISSP-ISSMP, PMP, CISM
Roseann Velez, DNP, FNP, FAANP
Daniel White
J. Scott Wilfong
Kathleen Willis
Kathy Stanley Wilmot '77

S. Mary Fitzgerald, SSND – SSND Liaison
S. Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D. – Ex Officio

Leadership Team

List of 6 members.

Sister Patricia McCarron SSND, Ph.D.

Head of School

(410) 825-6202 x1001
Ms. Jennifer Casey

Academic Dean

(410) 825-6202 x1502
Ms. Laurie Jones

Coordinator of Special Projects

(410) 825-6202 x1619
Mrs. Jessica "Jess" Morrison

Upper Level Dean of Students

(410) 825-6202 ext. 1003
Dr. Victor "Vic" Pellechia

Upper Level Director

(410) 825-6202 ext. 1026
Mrs. Jo Marie Tolj

Middle Level Director

(410) 825-6202 ext. 1412

Headmistress Council

List of 5 members.

Mr. Robert "Bobby" Baird Sr.

Executive Director of Finance and Facilities

(410) 825-6202 ext. 1006
Ms. Cami Colarossi

Director of Communications

(443) 921-2785
Ms. Laurie Jones

Coordinator of Special Projects

(410) 825-6202 x1619
Ms. Carol Killebrew

Director of Advancement

410-825-6202 ext. 1106
Ms. Cynthia Miller

Director of Technology

(410) 825-6202 ext. 1095