February 7, 2024
Fort Pierce- John Carroll High School, in the Diocese of Palm Beach, would like to announce that JCHS president, Rev. Thomas E. Barrett, will be stepping down from his role at the school in June 2024, and will certainly be missed. The diocese is grateful for Father Barrett’s outstanding leadership and faith-filled dedication to the school. Additionally, based on the recommendations of Gary Gelo, the Superintendent of Schools, and Father Barrett, Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito has appointed alumna Corey (Collins) Heroux as President effective July 1, 2024.
“After much prayer, discernment, discussion and consultation, I have decided to step down as President of John Carroll at the end of this school year. This decision was made for a number of reasons, but most importantly, the school has been engaged in a strategic planning process for the past several months. The input from our stakeholders and community members included that the school is entering a critical period where we envision the future of John Carroll. One of the recommendations in the realm of school governance was to have a full-time President to lead the school as it embarks on its planning process and to be present on campus to the faculty, staff and students,” remarked Barrett, who has led the school for the past 22 years. “I have been happy to serve in the role as School President and been privileged to make a positive impact in the lives and education of the students entrusted to our care, but it is challenging to be the full-time Pastor of my growing parish and serve the needs of the school.”
Father Barrett will continue to serve as the Pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, as it also thrives and demands more attention for the needs of that community. Bishop Barbarito remarked, “It is with a grateful heart that I thank Father Barrett for his love of John Carroll High School and for his firm commitment to seeing the school move forward. John Carroll is a better place thanks to his leadership over the last two decades.”
Mrs. Heroux has served as Principal for the past six years as well as two years as Vice-Principal. The 2004 JCHS graduate holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish, a Masters in Education through the
Alliance for Catholic Education Teaching Fellows, and a Masters in Educational Leadership through the Remick Leadership Program, all from the University of Notre Dame. She returned to John Carroll in 2010 as a teacher before moving into administration. Under her leadership, the school has grown its enrollment and now includes a waitlist. In addition, renovations have been made to numerous school buildings, professional development for teachers has blossomed, a new school schedule has been implemented, and a variety of additional school programs have come to fruition and grown.
“Through the strategic planning process, it was evident that Corey’s leadership at JCHS and her commitment to the school’s mission would make her the ideal candidate to serve as the next President,” remarked Gary Gelo, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Palm Beach.
At this time, Father Barrett and Corey Heroux, along with the assistance of the Diocese of Palm Beach, the Office of Catholic Schools, and a Principal Search Committee will focus efforts on identifying a principal to lead the school starting in July 2024. “It is my honor to serve as the next President of John Carroll, my alma mater, a school that I love so much. I cannot thank Father Barrett enough for his guidance, support and devotion to our school. We are blessed to have grown under his leadership, and he has set us up for success as we enter this exciting time in John Carroll’s future. God has great things in store.”
For more than 50 years, John Carroll High School has provided students on the Treasure Coast with an excellent education in the Catholic tradition. Guided by Catholic faith and gospel values, the school recognizes Jesus Christ as the model for the whole person we seek to develop. The mission of JCHS is to inspire the pursuit of educational excellence, foster character formation, develop a commitment to service, and affirm the dignity of each student entrusted to our care. For more information on John Carroll High School, visit www.JohnCarrollHigh.com, call 772-464-5200 or visit their Facebook, Instagram or X social media pages.
