Archbishop Hannan High School Names New Head of School

The Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Catholic Schools has named Chad Barwick as the next Head of School of Archbishop Hannan High School. Barwick currently serves as the President and CEO of St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta, Georgia, and will begin at Archbishop Hannan in July of 2020.
 
The School embarked on a nationwide search in the Spring of 2019 after Fr. Charles Latour announced his resignation set to begin in January 2020. Guided by the educational consulting firm Partners in Mission, the School’s Interview Committee reviewed materials from an experienced set of candidates. They then selected two finalists to visit the campus for more extensive interviews with representative members of the Archbishop Hannan community. Barwick’s appointment by Dr. RaeNell Houston, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, was based on the wholehearted recommendation from the various interview groups.
 
“Over the year, I’ve gotten to know the reputation of Archbishop Hannan and the great work that [Father Charles Latour] is doing. It was always just one of those things where I thought it would be great (if I could go there),” Barwick said. “In many conversations with [Latour] from last year to today, I came to know about what makes Hannan family and what makes it a wonderfully unique school on the Northshore.
 
“It took a little bit of time for God’s plan to reveal itself.  In the end, I’m glad I was patient and that God was patient with me because I feel this is an incredible opportunity for my family and me.”
 
Current Head of School at Archbishop Hannan, Father Charles Latour OP, will complete a highly successful 10-year tenure in December 2019. Mrs. Nancy Baird, who has served as the School’s Assistant Principal for nine years, will serve as the School’s Interim Head of School until June 30, 2020. Fr. Charles and Mrs. Baird will work closely with Barwick to ensure a seamless transition of leadership.
 
“I am elated with the selection of Chad Barwick as my successor at Archbishop Hannan. He embodies all the qualities we were looking for in a new Head of School – a student-centered, spiritual and educational leader committed to supporting our faculty and their ongoing professional growth, who understands and appreciates the perspectives of our parents and alumni, and is ready to continue building relationships within the Northshore community. We all welcome Chad, his wife Chris, and their children to the Hannan Family. “
 
Barwick has a rich background in Catholic education, having served 20 years in Catholic schools in a variety of roles including principal at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, in Montgomery Alabama, and St. Anthony de Padua Catholic School in South Bend, Indiana, as well as teacher and coach at Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Georgia.
 
The Alabama native holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Auburn University, a Master of Educational Administration, and a Master in Education degree from the University of Notre Dame.
 
“Education has absolutely been a vocation and not a job for me,” Barwick said. “I need the Eucharist and the ability to be in prayer to do this job...I’m incredibly lucky that my faith life is also my work life.
 
“I love to give back to the Church by doing what I love with kids, teachers, and families.”
 
At St. Pius, the X Barwick has overseen the long-range planning and shepherding of the campus, cultivation of Catholic identity, benefaction, enrollment management, and facilities management. St. Pius the X has an operating budget of $18.4 million and more than 138 employees.
 
Barwick takes over a school in Archbishop Hannan, which has excelled in academics, extracurricular activities, and athletics in recent years, producing four national merit semifinalists and two state champions during the 2018-19 school year. Archbishop Hannan currently enrolls 620 students, making it the largest co-educational secondary School in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
 
“Leaving the School you consider home, and the community that has become your family is never easy. Leaving them in someone else’s hands is brutal. However, I can rest easy knowing Chad Barwick’s character and passion for education. I know he will give the Hannan community the same love, respect, and dedication. ”
 
Barwick has ties to the Covington area and is looking forward to raising his family within the close-knit Northshore community, as well as the little joys of life that Louisiana can provide.
 
“I have six kids, and when my wife was pregnant with the sixth, we came and visited Hannan and every kid that I walked by said hello, every adult made time to make us feel welcomed,” Barwick said. “One of the first things my kids are looking forward to doing is throwing the football in the backyard, riding the bike down the street. We are just thrilled to be in this area and have all the benefits of having family close by provides.”