Archbishop William E. Lori announced that Sister Patricia McCarron, S.S.N.D., Ph.D., will lead Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore beginning in August 2025. She succeeds Dr. Donna Hargens, who held the position since 2018.
McCarron will be superintendent of the 54 schools attended by nearly 25,000 students. She is a School Sister of Notre Dame for 35 years and has served as the longtime head of school for Notre Dame Preparatory School (NDP) in Towson.
“Throughout Sister Patricia’s exceptional academic career in Catholic education, she has taken deliberate steps to nurture the whole child: academically, spiritually, morally and physically,” Lori said. “Sister Patricia is known for being a high-energy leader and a skilled administrator who is dedicated to Christ. “As our next superintendent, Sister Patricia’s extensive experience, innovative approach to learning and deep faith will allow the students and our Catholic schools to continue to flourish.”
After a five-month national search conducted by the Catholic Recruiter Associates and chaired by Dr. Nancy Grasmick — a long-time educator, presidential scholar at Towson University and former Maryland public school superintendent — McCarron was chosen for the position.
“She has spent her life really fostering excellence,” Grasmick said. “She presents herself as a person who is absolutely dedicated to the success of students, and she brings tremendous experience in leading principals and teachers. We are very fortunate to have someone with the myriad of credentials and talents she possesses.”
McCarron led NDP to record enrollment with nearly 850 students this year and increased diversity among the student body. During her tenure, Notre Dame Prep received the National Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award twice.
“We are honored to have Sister Patricia join us as the Superintendent of Schools upon the retirement of Dr. Donna Hargens,” said Greg Farno, chancellor of education at the Archdiocese of Baltimore. “Her commitment to both Catholic identity and academic excellence is unparalleled.”
Her service on committees like the Internal Review Board of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland Board of Governors, along with being a nationally and locally recognized speaker on many Catholic topics have drawn awards for herself and for NDP. She won the National Catholic Educational Association’s Educational Excellence Award and The Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence recognition for thrice being named into Baltimore’s Top 100 Women.
Hargens ends her tenure as superintendent with five Archdiocesan schools having received the National Blue Ribbon Award, representing 12% of all non-public schools across the country to do so in 2024. She guided schools through the COVID-19 pandemic and ensured that local Catholic schools would have the distinguished Cognia re-accreditation through 2027.
More opportunity for her to traumatize young women, who do not meet her rigid ideas of Catholic femininity. Hopefully someone will protect them from her cruelty.