About

Leadership, Faculty & Staff

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. 

  • Dr. Thomas Smith, Assistant Principal for Academics, Grades 9-12

    Dr. Thomas Smith is the Assistant Principal for Academics, Grades 9-12. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Boston College and two master’s degrees: a Master of Science in mathematics from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Education in secondary education and mathematics from BC. In addition, he also earned his Doctor of Education in educational leadership from BC.  

    Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Smith spent 19 years in service as a math teacher and the Dean of Teaching and Learning at Boston College High School.

  • 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 and currently serves as the Social Studies Department Chair. Before coming to Xaverian, he taught social studies and religion at St. Rose School in Chelsea. Mr. Ball holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and History from Emmanuel College and a Master of Education from Fitchburg State University. In addition to his academic role, he also coaches both FXD golf and FXD baseball.
  • Photo of Adrienne Banko
    Dr. Adrienne Banko
    University of South Carolina - Ph.D.
    University of South Carolina - M.A.
    West Chester University - B.A.
    Bio
     
    Dr. Adrienne Banko joined the Xaverian faculty in the spring of 2025. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Political Science from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, as well as an MA and PhD in Spanish Literature from the University of South Carolina. Before coming to Xaverian, Dr. Banko taught Spanish at both the secondary and collegiate levels, with experience in both public and private boarding schools. She has lived in Madrid, Spain, and traveled extensively throughout Latin America and Europe. In addition to her personal travels, Dr. Banko has led student trips to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. She is also an active presenter at language and pedagogy conferences.
  • Photo of Lauren Bjork
    Ms. Lauren Bjork
    Mount St. Mary's University - B.A.
    Anna Maria College - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Mrs. Lauren Bjork joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2015-2016 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mrs. Bjork taught at St. Anna Catholic School in Leominster and Fundación Nuevo Mundo in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Mount St. Mary’s University and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry with a concentration in religious education from Anna Maria College. She holds licensure in middle school humanities from the Massachusetts Department of Education. In addition to teaching theology, Mrs. Bjork serves as moderator for student council. 
  • 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 Jennifer Bowers
    Mrs. Jennifer Bowers
    Northeastern University - B.S.
    Framingham State University - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Ms. Jennifer Bowers, P ’21, ’24, joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2018-2019 school year. Prior to teaching at Xaverian, Ms. Bowers founded a mathematics tutoring business and taught at Needham High School. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Northeastern University and a Master of Education in Mathematics from Framingham State University. Ms. Bowers coaches FXD soccer.
  • Photo of Matthew Brennan
    Mr. Matthew Brennan
    University of Massachusetts - Amherst - B.A.
    University of Massachusetts - Boston - M.A.
    Lesley University - M.F.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Matthew Brennan joined Xaverian in the 1998-1999 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Brennan taught English at UMass-Boston, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, and Brewster Academy. A graduate of UMass-Amherst, he has a Master of English Literature from UMass-Boston and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Lesley University. He is also the assistant coach of the varsity soccer team.
  • Photo of Stephen Brennen
    Mr. Stephen Brennen
    Notre Dame - B.A.
    Notre Dame - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Stephen Brennen joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2014-2015 school year. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Master of Education from the University of Notre Dame. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in French at Middlebury College. Prior to coming to Xaverian, he taught English in Chile. 
  • Photo of Mary Briody
    Ms. Mary Briody
    Boston College - B.A.
    Framingham State - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Ms. Mary Briody joined the Xaverian faculty in the 1994-1995 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Ms Briody taught at the Red Cloud Indian High School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and at Leominster High School. She has a Bachelor of Art in Secondary Education (Mathematics) from Boston College and a Master of Education in Curriculum Instruction and Technology from Framingham State University. Ms. Briody serves as the chess club moderator and Students Against Destructive Decisions co-moderator.
  • Photo of Lucien Brodeur
    Mr. Lucien Brodeur
    Emerson College - B.F.A.
    Fordham University - M.A.T.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Lucien Brodeur ’91 joined Xaverian in 2003. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Brodeur taught at the Edison Middle School in Brighton and I.S. 275 in New York City. He has a B.F.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and an M.A.T. in English 7-12 from Fordham University. Mr. Brodeur is co-moderator of student council. 
  • Photo of Eric Burke
    Mr. Eric Burke
    Montserrat College of Art - B.F.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Eric Burke joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2022-2023 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Burke taught at Pope John XXIII High School in Everett and was also a member of the fine arts department at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody. Mr. Burke has a BFA in illustration from Montserrat College of Art, and is the camp director for Running Brook Summer Camp Adventure.
  • Photo of Sean Burke
    Mr. Sean Burke
    St. Anselm College - B.A.
    Southern Illinois University - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Mr. Sean Burke joined Xaverian in the 2006-2007 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Burke earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Saint Anselm College and his master’s degree in English literature from Southern Illinois University. At SIU, Mr. Burke also worked as a graduate assistant for three years, teaching courses in English composition, technical writing, and British and American literature. Mr. Burke serves as co-advisor of Xaverian’s chapter of the National Honor Society.
  • Mr. Shawn Burnes

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.