About

Leadership, Faculty & Staff

    • Ms. Lauren Hill, Mr. Joshua Tranfaglia, Dr. Michael Nicholson, Dr. Jacob Conca, Dr. Stephen Dacey, Dr. Jay McGilvray, and Mr. John Guinan




Xaverian Leadership

List of 7 items.

  • Dr. Jacob Conca '94, Head of School

    Dr. Jacob Conca became Xaverian Brothers High School's first layperson Head of School in 2019. As a 1994 graduate of Xaverian and an employee at Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools since 2003, Dr. Conca has a sincere appreciation for and thorough understanding of the Xaverian mission and values. He served as Dean of Students at Xaverian from 2003-2007, Principal of Saint John's High School from 2007-2016, and Principal of Xaverian from 2016-2019 before being appointed Head of School. His background also includes extensive teaching and coaching experience.

    Dr. Conca holds a bachelor's degree from Amherst College, an M.Ed. from Providence College, and a Ph.D. from Boston College. In addition to his work at Xaverian, he serves on the Board of Trustees at Xavier High School in Connecticut and at Notre Dame Academy in Hingham. 

  • Dr. Michael Nicholson, P '29, Principal

    Dr. Michael Nicholson was appointed Principal in November 2019, after serving as Xaverian's Assistant Principal for Student Life. He came to Xaverian from Saint John's High School. There, Dr. Nicholson served as a faculty member in the Religious Studies Department, coach, campus minister, Director of Campus Ministry, and ultimately as the Assistant Principal for Student Life. 

    Dr. Nicholson holds a bachelor's degree in Theology from St. Anselm College and a master's degree in Religious Education and Catholic School Leadership from Boston College. He earned his Doctorate of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, in addition to a certificate in Catholic School Leadership. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Saint Bernard School, another Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School that is located in Connecticut. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Boston College's Lynch School of Education in the Roche Center for Catholic Education.
     

  • Dr. Stephen Dacey '95, Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning

    Dr. Stephen Dacey '95 joined Xaverian in the 2003-2004 school year. Responsible for fostering a dynamic teaching and learning environment focused on the classroom and beyond, in his current role Dr. Dacey supports faculty and students in a variety of ways, including assessment of data and incorporating teacher and student feedback into Xaverian's instructional approach. He helps to identify effective models to sustain overall academic growth and excellence at Xaverian.
     
    Dr. Dacey holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Secondary Education from Stonehill College. He also holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College, as well as a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Boston College. Before Xaverian, he worked with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Goddard Space Flight Center to improve educational use and access of NASA data applications in the classroom. He began his career teaching science at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. 

  • Ms. Lauren Hill, Assistant Principal for Academics, Grades 9-12

    Ms. Lauren Hill is the Assistant Principal for Academics, Grades 9-12. She holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education from Manhattan College in English, and a Master of School Leadership in Secondary Education from Worcester State. She is presently pursuing her Doctor of Education in organizational leadership from Baylor University.

    Prior to Xaverian, Ms. Hill served as an English teacher, class dean, summer programs director, and co-chair of the professional development committee at Saint John's High School in Shrewsbury. Additionally, she was influential in the process wherein Saint John’s launched a middle school program, serving as co-chair of the ad hoc subcommittee on educational model.

  • Dr. Jay McGilvray, Assistant Principal, Francis Xavier Division Grades 7 & 8

    Dr. Jay McGilvray joined Xaverian in the 2003-2004 school year. He has served as an English teacher, coach, and department chair. He was appointed to Assistant Principal for Grades 7 and 8 (FXD) in May 2013. Dr. McGilvray served as the varsity golf coach for 10 years at Xaverian, the freshman baseball coach for four years, and the Department Chair of the English Department.

    Before joining the faculty at Xaverian, Dr. McGilvray taught middle school in Arlington and Danvers. He holds an undergraduate degree from Elon University, a Master of Educational Administration from Boston College, and a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership as well as a Catholic School Leadership certificate from Creighton University. 

  • Mr. Joshua Tranfaglia, Assistant Principal for Student Life

    Mr. Joshua Tranfaglia joined Xaverian as a social studies faculty member in 2014, and from 2014-2019 taught in the Francis Xavier Division (FXD) and coached golf, basketball, and baseball at both the FXD and high school levels. He became the Assistant Principal for Student Life in 2019. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Tranfaglia taught social studies and religion at St. Michael School in Fall River.

    Mr. Tranfaglia has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Secondary Education from Providence College. He completed the Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers program out of Providence College, which prepares teachers for life in Catholic education. 

  • Mr. John Guinan, Dean of Students

    Mr. John Guinan joined Xaverian in 2022. He previously served at Xavier High School in Middletown, CT, a fellow Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School. At Xavier, he co-chaired the committee that led the school through the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools Mission Effectiveness assessment process. 

    Mr. Guinan earned his bachelor’s degree from Assumption University and his master’s degree from Boston College. He also studied in Europe and Central America. He holds a graduate certificate in Catholic School Leadership from Creighton University and also serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Philosophy at Sacred Heart University.

Faculty & Staff Directory

  • Photo of Peter Ball
    Mr. Peter Ball
    Emmanuel College - B.A.
    Fitchburg State University - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Peter Ball ’10 joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2015-2016 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Ball taught social studies and religion at St. Rose School in Chelsea. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Emmanuel College in Education and History. He obtained a Master of Education from Fitchburg State University. Mr. Ball serves as an FXD golf head coach and an FXD baseball head coach.
  • Photo of Gabrielle Bongiorno
    Ms. Gabrielle Bongiorno
    Hofstra University - B.A.
    Fitchburg State University - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Ms. Gabrielle Bongiorno joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2020-2021 school year. Prior to that, she taught at Milton High School. She has a Bachelor of Arts in secondary social studies education and history from Hofstra University. 
  • Photo of Garrett Bowers
    Mr. Garrett Bowers
    University of Massachusetts - Boston - M.A.
    Boston College - B.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Garrett Bowers ’87, P ’21, ’24 joined the Xaverian faculty in the 1991-1992 school year. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College and a Master of Arts in American Studies from the University of Massachusetts. Mr. Bowers serves as the history club moderator, and head soccer coach.
  • Photo of Matthew Cavanaugh
    Mr. Matthew Cavanaugh
    University of Massachusetts - Amherst - B.A.
    Boston College - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Cavanaugh '96 joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2001-2002 school year. During his tenure at Xaverian, he has served in many roles including campus minister, fine arts and social studies faculty member, JV baseball coach, and production manager of the theater program. Presently, Mr. Cavanaugh is a social studies faculty member and AP Human Geography instructor. He serves as a coach for the FXD golf and FXD ice hockey teams. Mr. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Theater from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a Master of Education from Boston College. He has also completed graduate courses through Salem State University and Bridgewater State University. Additionally, he has attended the Mass Insight AP Human Geography program and served as a reader at the AP Human Geography Exam Reading. 
  • Photo of Jacob Devereaux
    Mr. Jacob Devereaux
    Fitchburg State University - M.Ed.
    Brandeis University - B.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Jacob Devereaux will have a dual role as a social studies and English teacher this year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Devereaux taught at Our Lady's Academy in Waltham. He has a B.A. in both politics and history from Brandeis University and a Master of Education from Fitchburg State University. He is excited to be working alongside an amazing team of educators as well as returning to a Xaverian Brothers sponsored school for the first time since he graduated from Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury. 
  • Photo of Jaime Faria
    Mrs. Jaime Faria
    Boston University - B.S.
    Boston College - M.Ed.
  • Photo of Conor Fitzgerald
    Mr. Conor Fitzgerald
    Quinnipiac University - B.A.
    Fitchburg State University - M.Ed.
  • Photo of William Foley
    Mr. William Foley
    University of Massachusetts - Boston - M.Ed.
    University of Hartford - B.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. William Foley joined Xaverian in the 2013-2014 school year. After graduating from University of Massachusetts Boston with a Master of Education, Mr. Foley taught in Boston Public Schools before joining Xaverian as social studies teacher. Mr. Foley coaches the freshman football team as well as the indoor and outdoor track teams. He has previously worked as a collegiate assistant track and field coach at both UMass Boston and Assumption College, respectively.
  • Photo of Amy Franklin
    Ms. Amy Franklin
    University of Massachusetts - Amherst - B.A.
    Lesley University - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Ms. Amy Franklin joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2019-2020 school year. After graduating from UMass Amherst with bachelor’s degrees in history and Spanish, she earned her Master of Education from Lesley University. Prior to Xaverian, Ms. Franklin taught at The Winchendon School and at All Saints Episcopal School in Texas, where she worked with the mock trial team and the alternative business club.
  • Mr. Christopher Georgules
    Boston College - B.A.
    Boston College - M.Ed.
  • Photo of Joseph MacKinnon
    Mr. Joseph MacKinnon
    Providence College - B.A.
    University of Connecticut - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Joseph MacKinnon ’84 joined the Xaverian faculty in the 1996-1997 school year. Prior to teaching at Xaverian, Mr. MacKinnon taught at St. Joseph’s High School in Greenville, MS and did his student teaching in Winona, MN. He has a master’s degree in history from the University of Connecticut. He has done graduate work in various disciplines at Boston College, Harvard University Extension School, and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Mr. MacKinnon is also a member of the soccer coaching staff.

Contact Us

List of 13 members.

  • Photo of Ann Alsfeld

    Mrs. Ann Alsfeld 

    Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives
  • Photo of James Conley

    Mr. James Conley 

    Director of Campus Ministry
  • Photo of Edward Currle

    Mr. Edward Currle 

    Director of Athletics
  • Photo of Bryan Finley

    Mr. Bryan Finley 

    Director of Facilities
  • Photo of Michaela Fitzpatrick

    Ms. Michaela Fitzpatrick 

    Director of Counseling
  • Photo of Carolyn Herman

    Dr. Carolyn Herman 

    Director of Staff Formation
  • Photo of Katie Hickey

    Ms. Katie Hickey 

    Director of Strategic Communications
  • Photo of Kyle MacDonald

    Mr. Kyle MacDonald 

    Director of Admissions
  • Photo of Anif McDonald

    Mr. Anif McDonald 

    Director of Community, Culture, and Equity
  • Photo of Barbara Messina

    Mrs. Barbara Messina 

    Director of Finance and Operations
  • Photo of Daniel Tucker

    Mr. Daniel Tucker 

    Director of the Ruth Kennedy Library
  • Photo of Christopher Vasta

    Dr. Christopher Vasta 

    Chief Administrator for School Advancement
  • Photo of Gregg Whitaker

    Mr. Gregg Whitaker 

    Director of Technology

Xaverian Brothers High School

800 Clapboardtree Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone: 781-326-6392
Fax: 781-320-0458
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EIN (Tax ID Number): 04-2314036 
Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.