Megan dos Santos named Fall River’s Holy Name School principal

Megan dos Santos, who has been appointed the new principal of Holy Name School, effective July 1, poses for a photo with Father Riley Williams, Pastor of Holy Name church and school.

Originally posted on www.heraldnews.com
By Lurdes C. da Silva

FALL RIVER – Megan dos Santos, a veteran educator in Catholic education, has been chosen to be the next principal of Fall River’s Holy Name School. She will assume her new post on July 1.

“I am very happy that our school was able to secure a faith-filled, experienced, and talented educator as our next principal,” said Fr. Riley Williams, Pastor of Holy Name church and school, in a prepared statement.

dos Santos has 14 years of experience in education. Most recently, she was the vice principal of Academic Affairs for Bishop Connolly High School, which is slated to close at the end of the school year.

According to a press release, Santos led Bishop Connoly in developing a model of data driven instruction, created a special education program, and formed an Instructional Leadership Team that fostered and developed teacher leadership.

As a result of her leadership, the high school saw significant increases in MAP testing scores and Advanced Placement students scored above state and global averages on College Board exams, according to the same news release.

“Over the course of our search for this position, we reviewed several applicants, and our search committee was unanimous in choosing Mrs. dos Santos as the next principal of Holy Name School,” Father Williams said. “Given her skills, experience, and connection to the local community, I am confident that she will bring the leadership our school needs to further develop the quality of our academic program and community life, integrated and enlivened by our faith in Jesus Christ.”

dos Santos holds a master’s degree in Secondary Education and a bachelor’s degree in Theology, Public and Community Service Studies, both from Providence College.

She said she is honored to accept this new position.

“Throughout my years as a teacher and administrator, I have had many Holy Name alumni as students,” she said in a prepared statement. “Not only did these students love the Holy Name community, but they excelled academically, were successful in sports and extracurricular activities, and had a strong focus on serving their community.”

dos Santos will replace David Flanagan, who recently left Holy Name School after serving as principal since 2019.

“Mrs. dos Santos is one of those gifted leaders and educators who has a vision of excellence and understands how to advance a school community while keeping to the Catholic identity for which our schools are known,” said Daniel Roy, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Fall River.