Woodlands Academy names new principal

Officials at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest have removed the "interim" tag from Principal Christine Schmidt's title.

During her 27 years at the all-girls college prep day-and-boarding high school, Schmidt has served as a social studies teacher, dean of students, director of student services and, since the start of the current school year, interim principal.

"She has worked with the faculty and staff to guide the new block schedule, rethink the academic program, and enhance admissions and outreach efforts," Head of School Meg Steele said in the announcement Monday. "Most importantly, she continues to provide a safe, challenging, and loving school environment for the young women of Woodlands Academy."

Schmidt succeeds Madonna Lee Edmunds as principal. Edmunds retired last summer after a 47-year teaching and administrative career at Woodlands.

Steele also announced that Rocco Gargiulo will continue as assistant principal. Gargiulo, who's served in that capacity the past two school years, has been at Woodlands Academy a total of 14 years as a math teacher, department chair and most recently as assistant principal.