President James Adams announced on February 12 that Stephen Lepire has been appointed as the new high school principal of Chaminade College Preparatory.

After a three-month long, nationwide search, Mr. Lepire has been selected and will begin his tenure on July 1, 2013. He is currently principal of Redwood Middle School in Thousand Oaks, where he has served since July of 2009.

Mr. Lepire will be replacing Bro. Tom Fahy, Chaminade’s high school principal for the past 11 years, who announced his intent to step down at the end of this school year. Bro. Tom will continue to work at Chaminade, in a yet-to-be defined capacity.

“In selecting Stephen Lepire, we have been blessed with an opportunity to bring a gifted educator on board to provide leadership to our high school community,” said President Jim Adams. “I am confident that he has the experience, skills, and personal characteristics necessary to continue our proud tradition of Catholic/Marianist education in Southern California.”

“I want to first thank and congratulate Bro. Tom Fahy for his 11 years of service to Chaminade. Following in his footsteps will be a daunting task,” said Mr. Lepire. “As a product of Catholic schools from first grade through college, and now a proud parent of two students in Catholic schools, I am deeply honored and humbled with the opportunity presented before me as the new principal of Chaminade College Preparatory’s High School. Chaminade is blessed with an outstanding balance of rigorous academics, recognized service to the surrounding communities, a comprehensive campus ministry program committed to service and justice, excellence in athletics and a commitment to student co-curricular programs. I am excited to have the responsibility to continuing these superior traditions. However, I am deeply focused on upholding all of the Marianist principles that are the cornerstone of Chaminade.”

Mr. Lepire is a San Fernando Valley resident and a graduate of local Catholic elementary and high schools. He is also the proud parent of a Chaminade student. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from California Lutheran University. Mr. Lepire started his career many years ago as a coach at Chaminade and has compiled a long and impressive track record as a teacher and administrator.

Mr. Lepire began his administrative career as a dean of students at several different schools in Los Angeles and Conejo Valley. In 2003, he was appointed assistant principal at Newbury Park High School where he served until 2008, when he was appointed to the assistant principal position at Westlake High School. Mr. Lepire has extensive experience in many areas of school leadership, grounded in a passion for student success. He has developed strong administrative skills and a collaborative style that complements our Marianist philosophy. In January of this year, Steve was selected as the Administrator of the Year for Ventura County by the Association of California School Administrators. This prestigious award will be presented in March at the Association’s annual conference in Solvang.