SHREWSBURY – The Saint John’s High School Board of Trustees has selected Benjamin Horgan to be the next head of school.
Horgan graduated from Saint John’s in 2005 and is currently the formation director at Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools in Baltimore.
“I am truly humbled to return home to Saint John’s and serve as the next Head of School, I am blessed to have experienced firsthand the transformational impact of a Saint John’s education,” said Horgan in a press release.
He said the Xaverian Brothers, faculty and staff he had as a student inspired him to devote his life to Catholic education and helped him form a foundation of faith, service and leadership.
“As the next Head of School, I look forward to collaborating with the Saint John’s community to build upon the strong traditions that make Saint John’s so special and advance the school’s mission in innovative ways to meet the needs of future generations of Pioneers,” Horgan said.
He earned his bachelor’s degree at Bates College, his master’s in theological studies at Loyola University Maryland and his doctorate in education at Creighton University.
Horgan began his career in education at the Red Cloud Indian School, which is a Jesuit high school on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He also worked at Loyola Blakefield in the Baltimore area before joining Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools.
He and his wife, Hillary, have a daughter.
Horgan will succeed current Headmaster Alex Zequeira on July 1.
Zequeira said he believed that Horgan’s appointment as the next head of school marked a “pivotal moment in the continued legacy of Saint John’s High School.”
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“His leadership, talent, embodiment of our mission and unwavering commitment to the Xaverian charism and values are truly unparalleled,” he said.
Zequeira said he looked forward to working with Horgan in the coming months on the transition.
“I am excited to see how he will continue to foster excellence and champion the spirit and principles that define our Pioneer community,” he said.
Chair of the Board of Trustees Tom Buckingham said that Horgan “emanates the Xaverian mission and is deeply committed to the formation of the boys and young men in our school’s care.”
He said that Horgan’s experience put him in a good position to deliver on the high school’s strategic plan.
“He is exactly what we need in our new Head of School and is eager to take on the role,” said Buckingham.
