Dr. Mary Grassa O'Neill - Superintendent of Schools

In July of 2008, Cardinal Sean O'Malley named Dr. Mary Grassa O’Neill the first lay Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Boston.  At this time, she was also asked to serve on the Cardinal's Cabinet as the Secretary of Education. In these capacities, she has begun efforts to strengthen Catholic education throughout the Archdiocese by prioritizing faith formation, academic excellence and financial viability and vitality.  During this time, she has also stressed building stronger relationships with area schools, school leaders, and partners to better serve the Archdiocese’s 45,000 students and 124 schools.

Dr. O’Neill serves in this role following over four decades in Massachusetts education.  She spent 25 years in the Boston Public Schools as an English teacher at Grover Cleveland School in Dorchester English, principal of James P. Timilty Middle School in Roxbury, and Zone Superintendent.  She then spent ten years leading the Milton public schools as Superintendent where she improved academic achievement and developed award winning schools.  From 2003-2008, Dr. O'Neill served as the director of The Principals’ Center and Managing Director for Programs in Professional Education at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Grassa O’Neill earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Boston State College and received her Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She also earned two Certificates from Harvard Business School. A graduate Boston Catholic education, including St. Ann’s Grammar School in Dorchester and the former Cardinal Cushing Central High School in South Boston, Dr. O’Neill looks forwards to continuing her with work with Catholic School leaders, faculties, parents, community members and clergy to ensure exceptional educational opportunities for all students.