Phil VanDenBrink

BARNSTABLE – Phillip J. VanDenBrink has been selected to become the next President of St. John Paul II School (JPII), located in Hyannis. VanDenBrink comes to JPII from Wasatch Academy in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, where he currently holds multiple roles as the Associate Director of Admissions, the Director of University Foundations, and a teacher. Prior to Wasatch, VanDenBrink was Principal at Great Falls Central Catholic High School in Great Falls, Montana.

In addition, he has served in leadership positions at Leysin American School in Switzerland and at Beijing National Day School in China. Throughout his 19 years of experience in education, VanDenBrink has worked to create new programs, develop new partnerships to enhance education, and increase enrollment to ensure the overall health and quality of programs while focusing on the student experience as the center of programmatic initiatives.

VanDenBrink received his undergraduate degree in International Business and German, with a minor in French, from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He holds master’s degrees in education and educational leadership from Middlebury College and the University of Cincinnati, respectively. In 2016, VanDenBrink earned a certificate in catechesis from the University of Dayton.

A Michigan native, he is excited to enter into the next chapter of his career at St. John Paul II School, where he can focus his energy on leading the school toward a bright future.

“From the moment I heard about St. John Paul II School, I could feel that the community ‘communicates Christ in word and deed,’” said VanDenBrink.  “The excitement of the students and other community members inspires me to lead the school in its next phase of development with ‘care and concern’ of the student at the center of our mission.”

Susan Niden, Interim President of St. John Paul II School, shared, “It has been a pleasure to serve the JPII community over this past year and I am looking forward to assisting with the transition to Mr. VanDenBrink.  The St. John Paul II School community will benefit greatly from Mr. VanDenBrink’s wealth of experience and I will remain grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this school community.”

A New Leader at St. Pius X School

Jeffrey Kent

Also, Father John Kelleher, pastor of St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth, is pleased to announce that Mr. Jeffrey Kent has been named the next Principal of St. Pius X School. Kent comes to St. Pius X School with 14 years of experience working in various capacities in Catholic schools, including the last seven as principal and assistant principal at Catholic schools in Florida and Texas.

Kent graduated summa cum laude from Concordia University-Portland, where he earned a Masters in Educational Leadership and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Richmond.

Kent currently serves over 370 students in PK-8th grade as the Assistant Principal of St. Theresa Catholic School in Austin, Texas.  His areas of oversight include student discipline, academic support services, enrichment activities, and school-wide testing and assessment.

Previously, Kent was the Principal at St. Patrick Catholic School in Jacksonville, FL, where he managed a $2.1 million budget and oversaw a team of 40+ faculty and staff.  He served on The Council of Catholic Academies Board, a committee focused on diocesan-level marketing initiatives which led St. Patrick Catholic School to be named among the “Top 3 Private Schools” and the “Top 3 Places to Work” in Jacksonville’s Bold City Best Contest.  Kent also served as Assistant Principal at St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School in Clearwater, FL, which was recognized as a two-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (with standardized test scores in top 15% nationally). In each of his administrative roles, Kent has led professional development opportunities in areas such as school-wide culture, classroom management, curriculum and assessment, and technology integration.

Kent is a native New Englander with strong ties to Cape Cod; thus, he is very excited to return ‘home’ and to join the St. Pius X Parish, in addition to leading the school.  He impressed the search committee with his qualifications, faith, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm for Catholic education, and his insightful and energetic approach to all topics of discussion.

“I look forward to returning to Massachusetts to lead St. Pius X School and am grateful and humbled to serve as their next Principal. I value how thoughtful and intentional the search committee was from start to finish,” remarked Mr. Kent. “I intend to lead by focusing on people, process, and product and will use a collaborative and servant leadership approach in which our faculty and staff are invested in a philosophy of caring, challenging, and communicating to enable our students to be the best version of themselves and of Christ.”

“We are thrilled that Mr. Kent will be joining us to build upon the excellence of St. Pius X School.” said Fr. Kelleher. “We are very proud of the outstanding academic achievements of our students to-date and Mr. Kent has impressed me as a leader who has the academic qualifications, management experience, and interpersonal skills to take St. Pius X School to even greater success.”

About St. John Paul II School

St. John Paul II School is a Cape Cod Catholic school that welcomes students and families from diverse faiths and backgrounds who desire a college preparatory, Catholic education.  The school’s academic, artistic, athletic, and co-curricular programs cultivate strong relationships and empower students to recognize their gifts, develop their potential, and communicate Christ in word and deed.  Emulating their patron St. John Paul II, students pursue truth through faith and reason, preparing them to lead lives of continuous learning, respect, and community leadership.  For more information, please go to www.jpiihyannis.org.

About St. Pius X School

We prepare our students to learn, to grow, and to lead 1) in a community of teachers, staff, parents, and parish family joined in partnership to educate our children in Catholic faith and values; 2) in a setting of academic excellence and high expectations serving a diverse population of Pre-K-Grade 8 students on Cape Cod; 3) in an environment that inspires the pursuit of knowledge, promotes service, and instills leadership; 4) in a school culture that provides opportunities for each student to attain full potential as a caring citizen and person of faith; 5) under the guidance and direction of a dedicated and committed faculty who values success for each student; 6) with opportunities to explore growth in the arts, in athletics, and in a growing variety of extracurricular experiences; 7) with an understanding of mutual respect for each individual; 8) as successful and competent young men and women who continue their educational path in competitive secondary schools.  For more information, please go to www.spxschool.org.

The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River