Lighthouse Charter School Has New Executive Director

 EAST HARWICH – The Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School has a new executive director.

Benjamin Parsons is replacing Catherine O’Leary, who will be returning to the classroom after three years serving as principal and superintendent, roles the school combines as executive director.

“The school is in a really good place, with the former executive director, Catherine O'Leary, remaining on staff as an ELA teacher and, as such, providing me with phenomenal support as I transition to my new role,” Parsons wrote in an email. “She, as well as other members of the leadership team and the board of trustees, have been invaluable resources and available to answer every question I have so that we can prioritize the student experience and have the building and programs ready to go for the first day of school on Aug. 28.”

Parsons started his new position on July 1.

A Falmouth resident, Parsons has nearly 25 years experience as a teacher, advisor, coach and senior administrator. For 18 of the past 22 years, he worked at Falmouth Academy, where he taught French and English and served in various coaching and administrative roles, including dean of students and middle school coordinator. He has also been a consultant with the New Bedford Public Schools as the executive director of the Center for Education Innovation at Friends Academy, and has served as head of a K-12 independent day school in Missouri.

Parsons earned a degree from Bowdoin College with a double major in French and English, a master’s in liberal arts at Dartmouth College and completed his Ph.D. in education leadership and policy studies at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. 

 “I could not be more honored and excited,” said Parsons. “What drew me to CCLCS was its reputation for inclusivity and its long-standing commitment to academic excellence rooted in experiential, place-based education. I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves, lace up my hiking boots and partner with our teachers to ensure that this year’s students reach new heights.”

O’Leary replaced Executive Director Paul Niles in March 2022 when he retired after 27 years at the school. O’Leary will return to her roots as an English teacher in the fall, joining the eighth grade teaching team.

“After three years as executive director and nine years as associate director, I felt a strong pull back to the classroom, where I believe I can have the most direct and immediate impact on student growth,” she wrote in an email. “I have been proud to lead CCLCS, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity.” 

Parsons said he does not foresee any immediate changes to the school programming.

  “I do look forward to celebrating many of the school's longstanding traditions to kick off the school year, including teaching one of our signature seminars program on Friday afternoons, participating in our eighth grade fall field trip to the White Mountains, and exploring local natural and artistic resources in several of our experiential units,” he said.

 “To be honest, I am most excited to fully immerse myself in the life of the school, embarking on an entry plan that makes listening to as many voices as possible the priority,” he added. “I have already started to learn what makes Lighthouse such a unique educational option for local families, and I can't wait to meet all the young people involved in that project, especially our incoming sixth graders who will be ‘new kids’ just like me.” 

 The Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School was founded in 1995 in Orleans and was one of the first public charter schools in the state. Its 252 students are chosen through a public lottery  process.