Edward Reynolds has been named principal of Our Lady of the Valley Regional School in Uxbridge, effective July 1. Mr. Reynolds will succeed Marilyn Willand “who is retiring after 13 years of outstanding service to Our Lady of the Valley,” said a press release from Thomas J. Wickstrom, chairman of the school’s Consultative Board.
Mr. Reynolds has previously served as principal and headmaster at Holy Name Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School in Worcester and brings 19 years administrative experience to the school, the release said. The diocese has merged Holy Name and St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic Junior/Senior high schools to form a new St. Paul Diocesan Junior/Senior High School that will open in September on the Granite Street campus.
“I am excited to join the Our Lady of the Valley Catholic school community, and I look forward to building upon the wonderful foundation that is currently in place. It is an outstanding school with a dedicated and talented faculty, and I am grateful to the Consultative Board for this opportunity to lead them,” Mr. Reynolds said.
Father Nicholas Desimone, pastor of St. Mary Parish and a board member, said, “We interviewed some great candidates but Ed stood out as the best candidate to continue the school’s strength for years to come. He brings great passion and energy to the job and we could not be happier or luckier to have him.”
According to the press release, students come to Our Lady of the Valley, a regional school, from Uxbridge, Northbridge, Douglas, Upton, Mendon, Milford, Hopedale, Blackstone, Millville, Sutton and Hopkinton. OLV offers a rigorous faith-based education for students from kindergarten through grade 8. It also has preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.
“A dedicated and experienced staff of teachers and aides along with small class sizes allows for a hands-on education that pays great dividends for its students,” says the press release. It noted that OLV students regularly test into the highest levels as they enter such schools as St. John’s, Holy Name, Marianapolis, Notre Dame, Blackstone Valley Regional Technical and all the local public schools. According to the school, recent past graduates attend such colleges and universities as Boston College, Georgetown University, the College of the Holy Cross, Providence College, Bowdoin College, the Commonwealth Honors College at UMass, University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Business, Santa Clara University, Loyola University, Swathmore College and many other top schools.
In addition to the curriculum, OLV offers championship basketball programs for both boys and girls. The basketball teams have advanced many times to the New England Catholic Schools Championships. In addition, the school’s cross country team has won seven of the last eight diocesan championships. OLV offers many other extra-curricular activities such as Student Council, Ski Club, Band, Science Club, Chess Club, Irish Step Dancing and Yearbook Club. Students also participate in many community and church service projects.
OLV is currently fundraising and planning for an expansion of the school building. The school plans to add two new classrooms for its middle school academy, along with a gymnasium on the campus, located at St. Mary Parish, on Route 16 in Uxbridge, it reported. Although enrollment is strong, there are some available seats in many of the grades, while keeping the class sizes to fewer than 24 students.
– To tour OLV and learn more about the school and its offerings, contact Ed Reynolds at ed.reynolds@olvuxbridge.com or call the school at 508-278-5851.