Saint Viator names Jon Baffico as new principal

Saint Viator High School has announced the hiring of Jon P. Baffico as the school's new principal for the 2022-23 school year. Baffico has served in the same role at St. Patrick High School in Chicago for the past nine years.

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome Jon Baffico to the Saint Viator community," said school President Fr. Daniel Lydon, CSV (SVHS '73). "He was the clear choice of our selection committee from among all of the exceptional candidates we interviewed."

Baffico will replace current principal Karen Love who will be moving with her family to the west coast at the end of this school year.

"Karen has served us well for the past five years," said Fr. Lydon. "She is leaving the school in good shape so that Jon can immediately focus on expanding the academic groundwork established by Karen and our entire staff and administration. I know that because of his years of experience, Jon will move our academic program to new heights."

Baffico received his BS in Mathematics Education from Indiana University and an MA in School Leadership from Concordia University. In addition to his leadership at St. Patrick, Baffico was an assistant principal at Algonquin Middle School in Algonquin, a school board member in Oak Grove School District 68, and a member of the school board for St. Francis de Sales in Lake Zurich.

"I am honored to accept this position at Saint Viator, knowing their unyielding commitment to academic excellence, faith formation, and preparing students to transform the world around them," Baffico said. "The students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni have built a tremendous reputation over the past 60 years and I will continue to move their mission forward as principal."

During his tenure as principal, St. Patrick added a number of new courses to their curriculum, introduced both STEAM and INCubator programs, implemented Professional Learning Communities, increased building security, developed and implemented their first two strategic plans, and expanded faith-formation opportunities for students.

Prior to moving into administrative leadership roles Baffico was a math teacher at Carmel High School in Mundelein where he also served as head varsity coach for boys basketball and both boys and girls volleyball. He currently is a member of the board of directors for the Illinois High School Association.

"We have a number of key initiatives already in motion for the future of Saint Viator High School and I expect Jon to help us formalize and enhance those plans as we get to work. I know he will be a tremendous asset to our community," said Fr. Lydon.

Baffico resides in Libertyville with his wife Tiffani and their three children Ella (17), Hailey (15), and Michaelene (12). He will begin at Saint Viator July 1.