Saint Thomas Academy Names Brian Ragatz President

Saint Thomas Academy announced today that Brian Ragatz ’98 has been named president, effective July 1, 2023. Ragatz will become the Academy's 30th leader, taking over from current Headmaster Kelby Woodard, who has been named president of the Cristo Rey Network of school nationally.

"Brian has built a distinguished career as a Catholic school educator, administrator and advocate over the past 20 years, and has consistently demonstrated excellent leadership, financial management and advancement abilities," said Daniel E. Kubes '87, chair of the Saint Thomas Academy Board of Trustees. "The board is confident Brian will continue to positively move Saint Thomas Academy into the future."

Ragatz currently serves as president of the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence, an organization working to bolster academic performance and admissions in Minnesota’s preK-8th grade Catholic schools. While with the organization, Ragatz secured more than $32 million in multi-year funding to increase the organization’s support of Catholic school leaders. Under his leadership, the organization expanded the number of Catholic grade schools served from 78 to all 156, implemented of a transformative literacy initiative in 58 schools, and launched a mental health and wellness initiative, and more. Brian’s efforts to enhance excellence in Catholic schools directly contributed to three consecutive years of system-wide enrollment increases.

Ragatz previously served as principal of St. Odilia, St. Thomas More and Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic schools. He began his education career teaching social studies and religion at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School. He also has taught education courses as an adjunct professor at both the University of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Ragatz has a bachelor’s degree in social science with a minor in secondary education from St. John’s University and a master’s degree in educational administration from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. He earned his educational specialist/Minnesota K-12 principal’s license in 2021 from the University of St. Thomas. Ragatz also served as second lieutenant and chaplain candidate in the Army National Guard for four years after graduating from college.