Notre Dame names Andrew J. Guest new head of school

Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy’s Board of Trustees announced today that Andrew J. Guest has been named head of school, effective immediately. In this position, Guest will oversee the day-to-day operations of the school, including all academic, arts and athletic programs. He succeeds Fr. Leon Olszamowski, s.m., who also was named today as corporate president, a position that will be responsible for Notre Dame’s long-term vision, strategy and board development as well as alumni and donor relations.
 
Since July of last year, Guest has been serving as interim president of the school, while Olszamowski was on a six-month sabbatical.
 
Daron Gifford, board chair, said the decision to name Guest as school head is part of NDPMA’s long-term strategy to help ensure a secure future for the junior-kindergarten-through-12th grade International Baccalaureate school.
 
“We are excited that Andy is moving into this leadership position,” Gifford said. “He is a great fit to be Notre Dame’s head of school, and with his more than 10 years on campus, he already has established strong ties with faculty, staff and our growing community of students and parents. He is truly committed to our school’s mission and I have no doubt that he will continue to embrace our goal of educating Christian people, upright citizens and academic scholars.”
 
Guest first came to Notre Dame in 2005 as director of advancement, charged with overseeing the school’s alumni relations, marketing and fundraising efforts. Since then, the school has experienced extensive growth in both its annual giving and number of donors. Most recently, in 2013, Guest was named executive vice president. During his tenure at Notre Dame, he has been a member of the strategic planning, building, finance, advancement, legal and education committees and the committee on trustees and has helped raise nearly $25 million for the school. 
 
“I am honored to accept this position of head of school for this tremendous institution,” Guest said. “Since first joining Notre Dame back in 2005, I have never seen such positive momentum on campus. I look forward to continuing Fr. Leon’s vision of making Notre Dame the very best option for parents and students looking for a Catholic school with one of the state’s strongest program of academics.”
 
Guest is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a 1984 alumnus of Notre Dame High School. Prior to NDPMA, he served in a successful career in positions of increasing responsibility in the consumer-packaged goods, sports entertainment, internet and retail industries.
 
According to Olszamowski, the board also affirmed today that the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) will maintain its oversight of Notre Dame’s Catholic commitment. 
 
“The Catholic sponsorship and educational-program management by the Marist Fathers will continue at the school as before,” he said. “This coincides with other initiatives by the Marists in the United States where there is a transitioning to lay leadership. And it is becoming a model for other Catholic elementary and secondary schools whose operations are managed by laypersons but with their Catholic identities overseen by religious orders and congregations.”
 
Olszamowski added that he is extremely confident that the board is leaving the school operations in very good hands. 
 
“I have worked very closely with Andy since he first arrived on our campus and his complete devotion to the mission of Notre Dame, the Marists and to our students is without question,” he said. “I look forward to the continued success of our school for our current students and for the generations of students to come.”

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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy

Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.