Thomas J. Olmsted, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, has appointed Jill Platt to serve as president of Notre Dame Preparatory High School, beginning with the 2020-21 academic year.

Ms. Platt serves as the Catholic high school’s principal and the search for her successor will begin in the near future, according to a press release.

“It is an honor to be asked to serve as president of NDP,” Ms. Platt said in a prepared statement.

“NDP’s growth and expansion, particularly over the past three years, has created extraordinary opportunities that will be transformative to our community. Having both a president and a principal will enable us to engage and realize those opportunities more fully.”

The president’s chief responsibilities include development and fundraising, donor and alumni relations, enrollment management, partnerships with businesses and public relations.

The principal’s role includes leadership in developing and implementing academics, curriculum, staff and faculty development, and administration of day-to-day operations at the school. Each will report directly to Harry Plummer, superintendent of the Diocese of Phoenix’s Catholic schools.

Principal at Notre Dame Preparatory since 2017, Ms. Platt directs both the internal and external work of all school personnel and departments.

Hailing from a long line of educators, Ms. Platt began her career as a teacher and registrar at Xavier College Preparatory in 1994. Prior to coming to Notre Dame Prep, she was principal of All Hallows Academy, in La Jolla, California, and served as an adjunct professor at DePaul University.

Ms. Platt retains her professional alignment with the National Catholic Educators Association, the Principal’s Round Table for Growing Leaders and the National Association for Secondary Principals.

In October 2019, NDP announced the campaign, Our Future In Focus: Vision 2020, to expand space for arts programs, worship space and to strengthen all facets of the NDP experience.

“We aim to ensure that our students are prepared to compete and thrive beyond graduation,” Ms. Platt said.

As president, Ms. Platt will oversee the three-phase capital campaign that strategically focuses on the future of the art, athletic and academic programs at Notre Dame Prep.

The first phase of Our Future in Focus is the construction of the St. Catherine of Bologna Performing Arts Center. This 20,000-square-foot facility will provide dedicated space to support NDP’s rapidly growing theater, music and digital videography programs. To date, more than $5.1 million has been secured toward this $6.8-million project.

The national search for NDP’s next principal will begin immediately. with the Diocese of Phoenix and the school’s administration leading the way, the search seeks to identify and secure a passionate and accomplished Catholic school leader to advance NDP’s school mission and award-winning programs. 

Since its founding in 2002, Notre Dame Prep has garnered state, regional and national awards for its academic, co-curricular and formation programs, including the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Director’s Cup, the highest award bestowed upon a school for overall excellence in scholarship, sportsmanship and achievement within a school’s athletics and activities program.

NDP has 51 athletic state championships, 16 national visual and performing arts awards and is recognized as a platinum-level Global High School by Catholic Relief Services for its commitment to service and justice.

Notre Dame Preparatory, l 9701 E. Bell Road, in north Scottsdale, provides a rigorous Catholic college preparatory education for its 830 students.