Leadership Transition Announced at St. Ann Classical Academy

As St. Ann Classical Academy looks ahead to the 2025–2026 academic year—our seventh as a classical school and on the road to celebrating our 60th year as a Catholic school in the Diocese of Metuchen—we would like to share news of an upcoming transition in school leadership.

Mrs. Marisa Day, who has faithfully served as Head of School through our successful transformation into an authentically classical Catholic school, will be stepping into a new role as Academic Dean of Classical Instruction beginning July 1. In this new position, she will remain an integral part of the leadership team while also returning to the classroom, continuing to shape the curriculum and support faculty in their formation and teaching.

Succeeding her in the role of Head of School will be Mrs. Courtney Ceponis, a current faculty member and member of the leadership team. Mrs. Ceponis brings a deep love for the mission of classical Catholic education, a strong administrative background, and a clear vision for the future of our school. Together, Mrs. Day and Mrs. Ceponis—alongside Pastor Fr. Tom Odorizzi, C.O.—will ensure a seamless and mission-focused transition, rooted in the shared goal of forming saints and scholars.

We invite you to read the letters below from both Mrs. Day and Mrs. Ceponis, offering personal reflections on this exciting new chapter in the life of our school community.

a letter from Mrs. Day, Head of school

Dear St. Ann Classical Academy Families,
 
 It has been my great pleasure to serve as Head of School at St. Ann Classical Academy over the past several years. Together, we have completed our transition from a traditional Catholic school to an established classical school in the Diocese of Metuchen. During that time, we’ve seen such beautiful growth in our students and faculty as we’ve embraced the pedagogy of classical education—building a school culture grounded in truth, beauty, and goodness and marked by the wonder and joy of learning. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our exceptional faculty and the encouragement, trust, and partnership of you—our school families. Our shared commitment to being authentically Catholic, rigorously classical, and simply joyful has shaped St. Ann Classical Academy into the school community we are today.
 
 As we look ahead to the coming school year, I want to share a personal update. With my daughter preparing to begin her senior year of high school this fall, my husband and I have spent much time discussing how best to support her during this important and exciting time. Over the past several months, Fr. Tom and I have had ongoing conversations about what a fruitful and sustainable path forward might look like—for both my family and for St. Ann Classical Academy. I’m deeply grateful for his support throughout this time of discernment. As of June 30, I will step down as Head of School and, beginning July 1, I will transition into a new role: Academic Dean of Classical Instruction.
 
 In this new position, I will continue to serve in an administrative capacity while also returning to the classroom to teach in the Upper School. This role is designed to support the continued growth and integrity of our classical mission in all areas of school life.  As we look to the year ahead, we are also excited to share that we will be more fully immersing ourselves in the classical vision we’ve been faithfully working to realize. This will include a renewed emphasis on cross-curricular integration throughout the grades, with particular attention to the meaningful incorporation of the arts across subjects. These enhancements will be thoughtfully reflected in the curriculum as we continue to cultivate a rich, unified, and joyfully classical experience for our students. We are deeply grateful for your continued support as we take this important step forward with our mission.
 
 I am also very pleased to share that Mrs. Courtney Ceponis will be appointed Head of School, effective July 1. Mrs. Ceponis has already been an essential part of our leadership team as both a faculty member and marketing coordinator.  She brings a deep love for our school, a clear vision for its future, and steadfast dedication to our mission. I have every confidence in her ability to lead St. Ann Classical Academy with wisdom, care, and clarity as we move into this next chapter. Fr. Tom, Mrs. Ceponis, and I are working closely together to ensure a thoughtful and seamless transition, and we’re all looking forward to the work ahead.
 
 I am truly grateful for each of you—for your commitment to our school, your belief in our mission, and the joy you bring to this community. I look forward to continuing to serve St. Ann Classical Academy in this new capacity and ask for your prayers and patience as we walk together into this next season. With God’s grace, I know it will be one of growth, renewal, and continued fidelity to the beautiful work we’ve been called to do.
 
 Blessings on your day,
 
 Mrs. Marisa Day
 Head of School
 

a letter from Mrs. Ceponis, incoming Head of school

 Dear St. Ann Classical Academy Community,
 
 I write to you as the incoming Head of School with great joy, deep gratitude, and a profound sense of responsibility. As we prepare to enter the 2025–2026 academic year, our seventh year as a classical school and our 60th year as a Catholic school in the Diocese of Metuchen, it is both an honor and a privilege to assume this role and to serve this extraordinary community of faith and learning.
 
 At St. Ann Classical Academy, we are entrusted with a sacred mission: to build a foundation for our students in the knowledge of the goodness, beauty, and truth of God’s creation, both visible and invisible; to cultivate an understanding of the true nature of the human person; and to nurture our students as faithful Christian disciples. This mission, rooted in our Catholic identity and animated by the classical tradition, is not only our goal—it is our shared vocation. This calling unites us in spirit and purpose.
 
 As we embark on this new chapter, I am reminded of the story The Boys in the Boat, which beautifully illustrates the transformative power of unity, perseverance, and shared vision. These young men, though vastly different in background, discovered that true success came not from individual effort alone, but from a deep harmony of hearts, minds, and wills—each person striving not for self, but for the team. That spirit of “rowing as one” echoes the very heart of our Catholic educational mission.
 
 In this same spirit, I invite each of you—parents, teachers, staff, students, parishioners, and friends—to join together in a communion of purpose. Let us embrace one another in a spirit of harmony and cooperation, devoting ourselves to the continuous improvement of our school in service to the best interests of our students and the broader school community. Let our unity be a witness to the Gospel we proclaim, a unity that mirrors the love of Christ and radiates through every aspect of school life.
 
 Our shared commitment to educate the mind, body, and soul must be grounded in prayerful discernment, collaborative service, and the joyful pursuit of excellence. As we seek to strengthen our community, let us do so with hearts attuned to Christ, eyes fixed on truth, and hands ready to serve with love. In all we do, may we be ever mindful that our mission is not simply academic—it is deeply spiritual, forming young people who reflect the light of Christ in the world.
 
 As we look ahead, I am especially grateful for the continued partnership of Mrs. Marisa Day, who will be stepping into the role of Academic Dean of Classical Instruction. This important position reflects our growth into an established classical school and will allow her to further share her many gifts in curriculum development, pedagogy, and faculty support. Her deep love for classical learning, her servant-hearted leadership, and her steadfast commitment to our mission have been and will remain a tremendous blessing to our community.
 
 I bring to this role eight years of experience in administration and hold a master’s degree in educational leadership, management, and policy, which I trust will serve me well as I work alongside you to lead our school forward. Together, let us champion the treasures of classical education, deepen our love for Christ and His Church, and form students whose intellects are sharp, whose hearts are generous, and whose spirits are joyful. We do this not for our glory, but Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam—for the Greater Glory of God.
 
 Under the patronage of St. Ann and inspired by the joyful witness of St. Philip Neri and St. Lucy Filippini, may we row forward as one, united in purpose, uplifted by grace, and filled with the hope of what God will do in and through us in the year ahead.
 
 With prayers for a joyful and grace-filled year ahead,
 
 Mrs. Courtney Ceponis
 Incoming Head of School