John Ciccone has been named the fourth president of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland. He succeeds Dr. Paul Barker, and will assume his new post July 1, 2023. 

A seasoned school leader, for the past 14 years Ciccone has served as president of St. Ignatius Loyola Academy in Baltimore. His prior experience is as chief administrative officer at Rochambeau, the French International School in Bethesda and as head of school at SEED Public Charter School of Washington, D.C.

“Across two decades, John has an exceptional record as an educational leader at Catholic, independent, and charter schools, from early childhood through high school levels,” said Phil Mantua, chairman of  Our Lady of Good Counsel’s Board of Directors, in a letter announcing the appointment. He added that “John was recommended by the Search Committee to the Board of Directors… (and) was then appointed by unanimous vote.”

“I am extraordinarily honored to be selected as Our Lady of Good Counsel High School's next President,” Ciccone said. “I am excited to be part of Good Counsel's strong, vibrant, and inclusive community that clearly lives its mission to inspire students to excel, serve, and love. I look forward to meeting all the members of the Good Counsel community in the coming months.”

Ciccone earned his undergraduate degree in history and education from Rhode Island College and his master’s degree in administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard. He completed non-profit executive education programs at the Harvard Business School and the Kellogg School of Management as well as the New Heads Institute of the National Association of Independent Schools. He serves as a board member for Innovation Works in Baltimore and Loyola Blakefield in Towson.

“In John, we have found the extraordinary Catholic school leader that the community intended when we began the search process. He has the vision, strategic leadership, and experience necessary to move Good Counsel to our highest aspirations and goals for the future,” Mantua said in his letter. “John is an accomplished scholar of social inequality. Throughout the course of his career, he has demonstrated experience in fundraising, strategic planning, enrollment management, and strengthening school culture.”