Diocese of Portland appoints headmaster for Seton Classical Catholic High School & Saint Dominic Academy
Dr. Joseph McCleary, an experienced educational leader with more than 30 years of work in school administration, curriculum development, and community engagement, has been named the inaugural headmaster of Seton Classical Catholic High School in Brunswick, effective July 1, 2026. He will also serve as headmaster of Saint Dominic Academy, the diocese’s pre-K to grade 8 Catholic school in Auburn.
As headmaster of Seton Classical Catholic High School, Dr. McCleary will serve as the school’s chief administrator and spiritual leader when it opens in September 2026. Seton Classical Catholic High School is part of the Diocese of Portland’s new Cabrini Schools initiative, which forms young men and women into faith-filled, responsible adults grounded in their Catholic identity and prepared to contribute meaningfully to the Church, their families, and society.
As headmaster for Saint Dominic Academy, Dr. McCleary will lead the academic, spiritual, and community life of the school. Current principal Dawn Theriault will transition to the role of director of mission advancement, which includes marketing, enrollment, and fundraising.
“Assisting the diocese in establishing a high school in the classical model and rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition is very exciting, as much of my professional life has been spent founding and leading schools dedicated to the moral and intellectual formation of young people,” said Dr. McCleary. “Leading the historic Saint Dominic Academy, supporting growth, and deepening its Catholic mission make this an even more exceptional opportunity.”
Most recently, Dr. McCleary served as founding president of The Hawthorn School, a pre-K to grade 9 preparatory school in Bedford, New York. There, he established curriculum, recruited students and faculty, managed facility development, and grew enrollment by over 50% each year of his tenure. Before that, he was president of The Schools of St. Mary, nursery to grade 12 Catholic schools in Manhasset, New York, where he oversaw principals, assistant principals, and faculty. He has also held executive director and superintendent roles at several acclaimed charter schools in Massachusetts.
“The headmaster role at each of these schools is critically important, as we entrust this individual with guiding students to grow in wisdom, virtue, and service while fostering a culture of excellence, faith, and integrity,” said Bishop James T. Ruggieri. “Dr. McCleary’s credentials and experience make him an excellent fit to help these schools thrive.”
Throughout his career, Dr. McCleary has shown a strong commitment to academic excellence, program development, and community partnership. He has launched new schools, expanded enrollment, and led institutions to national recognition, including top rankings in Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, and Boston Magazine. He is also an author, speaker, and recipient of multiple awards for educational excellence and community service.
He holds a Ph.D. in English from The Catholic University of America, an M.A. from Georgetown University, and a B.A. from Towson University and is a graduate of the Harvard University Leadership Institute for Superintendents.
“I look forward to working with Dr. McCleary as we strengthen and grow Catholic education in Maine,” said Shelly Wheeler, superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools. “We have a meaningful opportunity in the diocese to prepare students of faith and character, especially through our Mother Cabrini Maine Catholic Education Initiative.”
To learn more about Cabrini Schools and the Cabrini Initiative, visit www.mainecatholiceducation.org.
To learn more about Saint Dominic Academy, visit www.stdomsmaine.org.
