Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce that Justin Castanza, Principal of the Middle and High School Campuses, has been named the school’s new President. He will succeed current Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar, who is retiring in the summer.
“Justin’s years of service with Montgomery Catholic has provided a strong connection with our students, parents, teachers, and leadership,” said Tia Levanda, Montgomery Catholic Advisory Council Chairman and member of the search committee. “He brings a big heart, a ton of energy, and knowledge from the ground level on up. The skills that Justin brings to this position will help to ensure the continued growth and success of Montgomery Catholic. I am excited about what the future of Montgomery Catholic looks like under Justin’s leadership.”
“I am tremendously honored and delighted to accept the position of President of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School,” said Castanza about his new role. “This is an immense responsibility, and I am fortunate to be following the example of Mrs. Anne Ceasar, who has prepared MCPS for great things to come. The faculty and staff at Montgomery Catholic are remarkable, and I’m humbled to part of such a great team. Our community is thriving, our students are excelling, and our Faith is truly living. I have a passion for working with the youth of our community, and I am excited to begin this new step of service. I am thankful for my family, especially my wife, who are the people that make all of this possible. Please pray for me, as I will be praying for all of you.”
Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar expressed her delight at Castanza’s appointment. Ceasar announced her retirement in November 2019 after serving in the role since 2008 and will remain President until the end of July 2020.
“I am thrilled that our search committee has selected Justin to lead Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School,” said Ceasar. “He is the perfect choice. Justin has been an integral part of our school since his time here as a student, and he has a heart for our mission. I am confident that he will be able to keep our trajectory moving in a positive direction and implement new ideas that will enhance all four of our MCPS campuses.”
A native of Montgomery, Castanza is a 2001 graduate of Montgomery Catholic and holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science degree from Mississippi State University. Being no stranger to service, Castanza worked as a camp counselor at YMCA’s Camp Chandler since 2000, becoming Camp Director in 2009. After transitioning to Montgomery Catholic in 2014, he started as a math teacher and Dean of Students at the High School Campus before assuming the role of Principal of the Middle and High School Campuses in 2015. Active in the Catholic community, he has served as the Youth Ministry Leader at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and regularly leads pilgrimages to Italy, Guatemala, and the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. He has continued to serve the YMCA in various leadership roles over the years and was named Man of the Year for the YMCA of Greater Montgomery in 2019. Castanza and his wife Meg, a fellow MCPS graduate, have been married for seven years and are active members of St. Bede Catholic Church in Montgomery. Together they have three children: Vincent, Natalie, and Sal.
Founded in 1873, Montgomery Catholic is the oldest continuously operating private school in the state of Alabama. Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School serves students in K4 through 12 th grade and is comprised of four campuses: St. Bede Campus (K4 through 6 th grade), Holy Spirit Campus (K4 through 6 th grade), the Middle School Campus (7 th and 8 th grade), and the High School Campus (9 th through 12 th grade).
