A 1998 graduate of St. Thomas Academy — who, for the last three years, has led Edina-based Catholic Schools Center of Excellence — has been named president of the all-male Mendota Heights school, effective July 1.
“I’m an alum there,” Brian Ragatz said of STA. “That place, that community plays a special role in my heart. I’ve always wanted to go back to that school.”
In addition to leading CSCOE, Ragatz has been a principal at three Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis — St. Odilia in Shoreview, St. Thomas More in St. Paul and Presentation of Mary in Maplewood. He began his education career teaching social studies and religion at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School in St. Paul.
Accomplishments at CSCOE include broadening its mission last year from bolstering academics and admissions in archdiocesan Catholic elementary schools to include all pre-K through eighth grade Catholic schools in Minnesota, Ragatz said. He leaves CSCOE in good hands as it searches for a new president, Ragatz said, emphasizing that “The team here is dynamic and dynamite.”
Daniel Kubes, chair of the St. Thomas Academy Board of Trustees, said Ragatz has built a distinguished career as a Catholic school educator, administrator and advocate over the past 20 years. “The board is confident Brian will continue to positively move St. Thomas Academy into the future,” he said.
