Kate O’Brien

Mrs. Kate O’Brien became Principal of Holy Family Catholic Academy in July 2013 after a nationwide search. Kate spent most of her career at The Frances Xavier Warde School in Chicago, a premier Catholic elementary school serving students from preschool through 8th grade. Prior to joining HFCA, she served as Principal, of Old St. Pat’s Campus at FXW. Kate taught in the Academy’s first two-round kindergarten in 2008-2009. She was therefore uniquely familiar with many teachers and staff members and was well aware of HFCA’s reputation as a leader in education in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

 

During Kate's leadership at HFCA, the Academy earned a US Department of Education Blue Ribbon for exemplary teaching and learning, became the first middle school in the State of Illinois to become STEM Accredited by Cognia, and became authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School. HFCA holds the distinction of being the only school in the northwest suburbs to be nationally and internationally recognized for its curriculum and instruction.

 

Mrs. O'Brien's academic credentials include:

• Loyola University, Doctoral Candidate (Ed.D) Administration and Supervision
• Loyola University, M.Ed. Instructional Leadership
• National-Louis University, M.Ed. Language and Literacy
• University of Dayton, B.S Elementary Education

Kate serves on the Office of Catholic Schools' Curriculum Committee. Read "HFCA Principal Recognized for Excellence"
and learn more about Kate's commitment to rigor, continuous improvement, and emphasis on 21st century instructional practices.