After a national search, an award-winning and veteran Catholic school administrator is the new head of school at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno.
Michael C. Burke, who has spent more than 35 years as a Catholic school administrator, teacher, and coach, most recently worked as president of Melbourne Central Catholic High School in Florida.
During Burke’s nine years at the Melbourne school, academic scores rose, class sizes were decreased and student readiness for college improved. Student enrollment also rose by 55% during his tenure.
He previously was headmaster of Subiaco Academy, a boys Catholic Benedictine boarding school in Arkansas; president of St. Joseph Catholic School System in Texas; and he founded two Catholic high schools in Alabama.
Related Story: San Joaquin Memorial To Build $5 Million STEAM Center in 2019
Lead.Learn.Proclaim Award Winner
Burke was selected one of two high school presidents in the nation to receive the Lead.Learn.Proclaim Award from the National Catholic Education Association and was recognized for his leadership efforts, contributions and achievements at the association’s 2016 convention in San Diego.
During his nine years at the Melbourne school, academic scores rose, class sizes were decreased and student readiness for college improved. Student enrollment also rose by 55% during his tenure.
He led a multimillion-dollar capital campaign that resulted in nine major construction projects, including modernizing aging buildings and adding a STEM building and new field house.
More About Burke
Burke earned a master’s in educational leadership degree from the University of Dayton and a bachelor of arts in business degree from Southern Benedictine College. He and his wife Jill have moved to the Fresno area. They are the parents of two married children: Christopher, a Catholic school administrator, and Erin, a registered occupational therapist.
