A New Chapter in Jesuit Education

Cincinnati will soon welcome a new kind of school, St. Peter Faber Academy (SPFA), where Jesuit tradition will meet innovative, child-centered learning under the leadership of its inaugural principal, Sarah Bitzer.

“I am deeply honored and incredibly excited to lead the launch of St. Peter Faber Academy in partnership with Xavier University,” Bitzer says. “I was absolutely thrilled when the opportunity arose to create a new Catholic school in Cincinnati—a city that has shaped my own Catholic journey and faith. It’s a true joy and privilege to be part of something so meaningful.”

Opening this fall on the campus of Xavier University (XU), SPFA will be the nation’s second Jesuit Catholic laboratory school, and the first in the Midwest. As part of XU’s 194-year-old tradition of educating men and women for others, SPFA will serve students from preschool through fourth grade, adding one grade level each year until reaching eighth grade in 2030.

Bitzer, a proud XU alum, brings more than a decade of Catholic school leadership experience, including a strong focus on strategic enrollment, school transformation and community building. She holds a master’s degree in education administration from XU, where she also completed coursework for both her principal and superintendent licenses.

“Sarah not only has the educational and operational expertise to guide the Academy, but more importantly, a deep commitment to forming students in the Jesuit tradition,” says XU President Colleen Hanycz. “She embodies the spirit of St. Peter Faber—gentle, grounded and spiritually attuned—making her an ideal leader for this new community.”

A cofounder of the Society of Jesus, St. Peter Faber inspired a way of educating that is personal, reflective and rooted in justice. As a lab school, SPFA will offer a hands-on, project-based education that emphasizes learning through all the senses. Students will regularly engage with XU School of Education faculty and XU students, who will bring with them the latest research and best practices in child development, pedagogy and personalized learning.

“The Jesuit emphasis on cura personalis, the care for the whole person, matches my educational philosophy which is to educate the whole student—academically, socially, emotionally,” Bitzer says. “The similarities in our shared philosophies will guide how I lead St. Peter Faber Academy—with humility, intentionality and a deep respect for every student’s unique journey.”

The founding of St. Peter Faber Academy strengthens the growing ecosystem of Jesuit Catholic education in Cincinnati, offering families a seamless path from early childhood through higher education. SPFA opens doors to St. Xavier High School, XU and XU’s anticipated College of Osteopathic Medicine.

As for what lies ahead, Bitzer has a clear vision for her school community. “This school represents a bold step forward in Catholic education, not only for our city, but as a model that could inspire schools across the region and beyond,” she says.