The Archdiocese of Baltimore will immediately begin a search for its next superintendent of Catholic schools, after current superintendent Donna Hargens announced Thursday that she will retire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Hargens has led the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Catholic schools since July 2018, overseeing 40 Catholic elementary and middle schools and 18 Catholic high schools in Baltimore City and Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard and Washington counties. Nearly 25,000 students are enrolled in Catholic schools under the archdiocese.
An educator for the past 45 years, Hargens spoke fondly of her time as superintendent.
“The joy and honor has been mine to serve six school years in leadership of our Catholic schools, guiding the children who attend them and supporting the educators who bring our classrooms to life and accompanying the parents who invest in our Christ-centered mission,” she said in a statement. “My focus going forward is making this school year the best it possibly can be. They deserve our very best effort.”
Gregory A. Farno, chancellor of education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, commended Hargens for her leadership of the region’s Catholic schools.
“Dr. Hargens has faithfully fulfilled our mission of providing a high-quality, faith-based education that nurtures the whole child ̶ academically, spiritually, morally, and physically,” Farno said in a statement. “Her track record of transformative impact is underscored by exemplary leadership, passion and dedication to the development and success of students.”
Hargens steered the archdiocese’s Catholic schools through the COVID-19 pandemic; ensured that local Catholic schools earned Cognia re-accreditation through 2027; and opened the $25 million Mother Mary Lange Catholic School, Baltimore City’s first new Catholic school in six decades.
Five schools under the archdiocese are advancing in this year’s national Blue Ribbon process out of the possible 50 non-public schools in the nation that can be nominated for the awards. Schools selected for the 2024 National Blue Ribbon awards will be announced this month.
Before joining the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Hargens served as superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky; chief academic officer for Wake County Public Schools in North Carolina; and a principal, assistant principal, and high school Spanish and English teacher.
She earned a doctorate in educational leadership, management and policy from Seton Hall University.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore declared bankruptcy in 2023 amid accusations by hundreds of victims of sexual abuse. Since then, the archdiocese has announced plans to close dozens of parishes over the next year.
