New Principal Selected for The Ursuline School

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Theresa Napoli, a longtime Catholic educator, has been named principal of The Ursuline School in New Rochelle. The appointment is effective July 1.

Ms. Napoli, dean of academic affairs at Fairfield College Preparatory School in Connecticut, was selected to head the all-girls, Roman Catholic, independent college preparatory school after an intensive search. 

At The Ursuline School, she succeeds Rosemary Beirne as principal of the school for grades six through 12.

“Ms. Napoli is an experienced Catholic school educator and administrator who is ready to fully support Ursuline’s mission and core values,” said Ursuline School President Colleen Melnyk. “She maintains a firm belief in the value of an all-girls education and the capacity of all students to learn and achieve excellence. 

“Ms. Napoli is an accomplished, inclusive academic leader, with a demonstrated ability to develop innovative and academically rigorous programs and curriculum.”

Ms. Napoli has more than 30 years of teaching and administrative service in Catholic schools. In 2005, she became the first female assistant principal at Fordham Preparatory School. She later served as principal of St. Barnabas High School. She began her teaching career at Ursuline as a science teacher and also taught at Aquinas High School, Marymount School of New York and Convent of the Sacred Heart.

Ms. Napoli said she looks forward to connecting with the faculty, staff, students, parents, alumnae and the broader Ursuline community.

“I am wholeheartedly committed to upholding and enhancing the spirit of St. Angela Merici,” Ms. Napoli said. “The Ursuline School is where I grew in my formation as a Catholic educator.  My goal as a leader is to strive each day to live out the Serviam charism as a role model for all our students.”

Mrs. Beirne has served as principal of The Ursuline School since 2018 and earlier was a member of the school’s English department for seven years. She has decided to return to teaching.