As Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Atlanta began classes for the 2007-2008 school year, many did so under the guidance of new principals.

New principals for Catholic schools include: Donavan Yarnall, St. Joseph School, Athens; Sister Mary Jacinta, OP, St. Catherine of Siena School, Kennesaw; Terry Collis, St. Thomas More School, Decatur; and Tricia DeWitt, Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Atlanta. DeWitt is a former principal of the school who has returned to lead the school after an absence last year.

On Aug. 1, principals from all the schools within the archdiocese gathered for their annual meeting. Diane Starkovich, superintendent of Catholic schools, said that the archdiocese has been “blessed with dedicated and very qualified principals.”

“Collectively, they are the best and most qualified group of principals that I have had the privilege with which to work,” she said. “Every one of them places the needs of their students at the center of every decision made in their schools. Effective schools research points to the fact that highly successful administrators lead highly successful schools. The principals in the Archdiocese of Atlanta commit themselves to maintaining the academic excellence and strong faith formation found in all of our schools.”

There are 18 archdiocesan and six independent Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.