People on the Move: St. Patrick Academy Names Burdier New Principal

People on the Move: St. Patrick Academy Names Burdier New Principal

Rev. Joseph Brice, Pastor of St. Patrick Church in Providence, announced the appointment of Billy Burdier as the fourth Principal of St. Patrick Academy.

 

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St. Patrick Academy (SPA) is a NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) accredited college-preparatory high school established in 2009 by the Bishop of Portland, Maine, The Most Reverend James T. Ruggieri.

 

With a decade of experience in education, Burdier encourages students to embrace the fullness of a Catholic education and grow in faith, courage, wisdom, joy, hope and love. He says, “I hope to guide them to understand their God-given dignity and purpose, and as they step confidently into higher education and eventually into the world of work. They will be grounded in the knowledge that they do not walk alone. God at their side, guiding their path and shaping their mission in the world.”

 

As the first SPA principal to be a bilingual English-Spanish speaker, Burdier sees it as a privilege to guide the students in their journeys, preparing them for college and bright futures as leaders, professionals, and people of integrity steeped in faith.

 

“ I hope to inspire, empower, and help students cultivate strong habits, deep faith, and lasting virtues. I believe high school is a vital time for growth and discovery. It is during these years that students begin asking life’s biggest questions and searching for how to live with purpose,” says Burdier.

 

Billy Burdier was born in the Caribbean and moved to the United States at age seven with his mother and brother. He is a graduate of Providence College, where he earned a degree in Philosophy. He later pursued a Master of Education and is also a licensed registered nurse.

 

Burdier spent three years living in Italy while discerning a vocation to the priesthood. During this time, he studied at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, received a Sacred Theology degree (STB), learned to speak Italian, and had the honor of meeting and serving with Pope Francis during liturgy. In addition to his academic and spiritual formation, Burdier served as Capo of Institutional and Media Relations at the Pontifical North American College. In this role, he led media coordination efforts with networks such as EWTN, Catholic News Agency, Univision and Telemundo. He assisted, organized and coordinated interviews with bishops, faculty, and students, and coordinated media training workshops for priests and seminarians. These experiences further developed his communication and leadership skills, which are qualities he continues to bring into his work as an educator and leader.

 

Burdier assumes the position of principal upon the retirement of Principal E. Christopher Myron, who leaves the field of Catholic education with a distinguished 30-year career in school administration. Among his achievements during his four-year tenure, Myron advocated for the unique needs of urban students, expanded advanced placement courses and experiential learning in the classroom, and assembled a highly motivated and exceptional faculty.

 

St. Patrick Academy serves 100 students who reside in Rhode Island’s urban core communities of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Johnston, Cranston and North Providence. The Academy embraces the cultural and ethnic diversity of all students, who have heritage in the United States, Caribbean Islands, Latin and Central America and/or Africa. No student is turned away due to a family’s inability to pay tuition, and in fact, 100% of students receive financial assistance. 74% of the school’s budget is furnished by individual donors and family foundations through the Adopt-a-Student program, along with grants and tuition assistance from the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Providence. In addition to the rigorous coursework, SPA students are mentored in the college application process, which prepares them for all aspects of the college experience. Moreover, we foster personal excellence in all areas of life, preparing young people for financial self-determination and success.

 

For more information on SPA and its admissions and tuition assistance programs, contact the Admissions Office at (401) 421 - 9300 ext. 116. For more information on supporting a student in need through the Adopt-a-Student program, contact the SPA Development Office at (401) 421 - 0810. St. Patrick Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization affiliated with St. Patrick Church; it is the only parish-sponsored high school in the Diocese of Providence.