When asked about how to define the work and tenure of his administration, Principal Devine recited an old phrase that a mentor impressed upon him: “Facta Non Verba,” deeds not words. Truly, no better piece of diction can define the tenure of Principal Devine.
Indeed, Principal Devine and his administration have brought many changes to the Academy. Notably, the Five-Year Curriculum Redesign has fundamentally augmented how each and every class is administered, lowered requirements for course-level changes, and has given students the opportunity to take more AP classes tailored to their interests.
Furthermore, the new Maroon and Gold calendar has seen tremendous success. In just one year, instruction time has expanded over 15%, students have been given more free time for their work, and formation has been restructured into a more robust program. All of this has been done without spending a single penny.
The administration has also been working to revamp the school’s faculty retention capabilities. Over the past three years, Loyola Academy has been able to attract and retain top-choice educators for most positions. Prior to Principal Devine, the school had constant, sizable faculty turnover. Today, Loyola Academy is at a 1.7% faculty turnover rate compared to the national average of 12%. This is crucial, as it ensures that students here at the Academy have access to teachers who are passionate about their content area.
Most of all, Mr. Devine expressed his firm belief in the call of the Jesuit mission. Beyond all the numeric success of his administration, this is what he is most proud of. Instilling in students a call to be men and women for others has been central. Under his administration, the Summer Service Program has expanded to meet up to 75% of fees for students who qualify. Under this reform, summer service has been made available to all.
Mr. Devine has transformed systems that were already in place. Service is fully accessible to all, academic freedom has expanded, and we are meeting our mission of educating students of character. So whether you see him in his office, or in the social studies department, or, if you’re really lucky, in his classroom, please make sure to express your gratitude to the man who captained our ship to long-lasting reform.
