Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert has appointed John Petruzzelli as principal of Kolbe Academy effective Oct. 1.
Petruzzelli returns to the Lehigh Valley from St. Joseph Preparatory Academy in Philadelphia, where he served as principal since 2017. Prior to that leadership role, he spent seven years as principal of Bethlehem Catholic High School.
He has a wealth of experience in the Catholic school system that includes school administration, admissions, campus ministry and advancement. He has also been a teacher at St. Elizabeth’s High School in Wilmington, Delaware; Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia; and Our Lady of Calvary Grade School in Philadelphia.
Petruzzelli is a graduate of St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. He has earned a master’s degree in education in school leadership and instruction from Wilmington University in Delaware.
Petruzzelli is excited to return to the Lehigh Valley for this unique opportunity.
“The opportunity to be a part of Kolbe Academy is exciting and, sure to be, life-changing” he said.
“The mission of the school is one that I embrace and look forward to living out every day as the principal. Few get an opportunity like this, and I intend to work hard bringing about change in the lives of my future students.”
Kolbe Academy will be the first Catholic recovery high school in the nation. It will provide an individualized academic program in a safe, compassionate Christ-centered school for high school students in recovery from substance addiction that works to promote life-long recovery and success.
Led by a Board of Directors and principal, the school is slated to open in September 2019 in Mullen Hall on the campus of St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem. It will have the capacity to serve 90 students.
“We are very fortunate to have found someone with a variety of skills, strong leadership experience and an understanding of Kolbe Academy’s mission,” said Michael Metzger, board chair. “We are excited for John to get started.”
For more information about the school, call the Office of Education at 610-866-0581.
