All we are striving for, in any and all goals, is to be more – more capable or adept at something not yet mastered, in some fashion more than we were before.
From the Head of School
In her book Mastering Community, Christine Porath says that "having a sense of purpose and connectedness" is essential for any organization to thrive. At University School, our mission is our purpose, motivating all in our community—students, teachers, parents, and graduates alike—to work with and for our school's boys and young men. Connection happens as we share in that purpose, strengthening and reinforcing their experience through our partnership.
When I visit with our alumni around the country, it is remarkable to me how quickly graduates are at ease, establish a rapport, and strike up real conversations. Whether they have been out seven years or 70, they recognize quickly what they have in common. They stand together on a foundation laid by the many who cared for them in their years in Shaker Heights and Hunting Valley, and they reflect with gratitude on those who made their education possible.
I started working with young people when I was 21 years old. I didn't know what I didn't know. I quickly learned, however, that my work was strengthened and that my students were at their best when all of us who cared about their success worked together on their behalf.
University School inspires boys to forge their own paths to purpose and connectedness with the support of our community of faculty, staff, parents, and alumni.
Sincerely, Patrick T. Gallagher Head of School
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About the Head of School
Patrick T. Gallagher was named Head of School in September 2018 after serving as the school's interim head of school for nine months. Prior to that, Mr. Gallagher was the co-director of the Upper School and Hunting Valley campus for five years. He came to US in 2005 from The Culver Academies, where he taught English and humanities.
At US, Mr. Gallagher began as an Upper School English teacher and later worked with boys and families as part of the college counseling team. Since 2009, he has been the Upper School Dean of Faculty, responsible for the recruitment and development of all part- and full-time faculty. During this time, he also chaired the Upper School Curriculum Committee, comprised of grades 9-12 department chairs and K-12 administrators. He designed, implemented, and oversaw the Faculty Development Program, and served as a liaison with the University School Parents Association leadership for grades 9-12. His tenure has seen curricular expansions such as new AP and post-AP courses, the growth of the computer science program, and the inception of robotics.
Mr. Gallagher received his master of arts degree from Columbia University, where he was a Klingenstein Scholar in Educational Leadership; and his bachelor of arts degree in English language and literature from Princeton University. He grew up in Cleveland and was valedictorian at St. Edward High School.
From the Report of Strategic Direction & Philanthropy October 2018
VIDEO: Moments of Thanks – Fall 2022
HEAD OF SCHOOL PATRICK T. GALLAGHER
We talk about the ‘US boy’. We have hundreds of ‘US boys’ here – each of which is unique. There are places here for all these different kinds of boys. There are so many boys who are so dimensional in their interests, so diverse in their strengths. US is different from other boys’ schools.
20701 Brantley Road Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122 JUNIOR K – GRADE 8 Phone: 216-321-8260
Hunting Valley Campus
2785 SOM Center Road Hunting Valley, Ohio 44022 GRADES 9 – 12 Phone: 216-831-2200
University School serves 870 boys in Junior Kindergarten to grade 12 on two campuses in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. The School’s mission is to inspire boys of promise to become young men of character who lead and serve. Dedicated faculty, rigorous curriculum, and experiential programs foster intellectual, physical, creative, and moral excellence. University School is a diverse and inclusive community where each boy is known and loved.