Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, O.S.B.
Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, O.S.B. became the 23rd Headmaster of St. Benedict's Prep in 1972. He graduated from St. Benedict's Prep in 1963. He earned a B.A. in philosophy from Seton Hall University in 1968 and a Master’s in Divinity with distinction in 1975 from the Woodstock College at Union Theological Seminary, New York. In 1966 he took his first vows as a monk of the Benedictine Abbey of Newark and was ordained to the priesthood in 1972. Fr. Edwin began his work at St. Benedict's Prep in 1967, teaching biology and religion and assisting with the wrestling and football teams. Following the decision by the then-larger community of monks to suspend the operation of St. Benedict's (effectively close) in 1972, Fr. Edwin, then 27, was chosen by the remaining stalwart group of monks, interested parents, alumni and friends to re-open the School as soon as was feasible. Under his direction St. Benedict's opened its doors again in 1973 with 89 students and 14 faculty members, including thirteen monks who re-committed themselves to the school’s mission of serving young men from largely low-income families in Newark.
Fr. Edwin’s talent for working directly with students and marshalling an ever broader community to support his approach to educating young men, especially young men of color, has gained increasing attention in recent years. He has been invited to speak to other religious communities such as Catalyst, Liberty University’s Convocation, and the Children’s Miracle Network. In March 2016, 60 Minutes featured Fr. Edwin in its Resurrection of St. Benedict’s segment about the school’s successful impact on education that has inspired educators, philanthropists and volunteers near and far. A 2014 documentary about St. Benedict’s Prep, The Rule, What Inner City Schools Need to Finally Succeed, has enjoyed wide release and much favorable attention from educators and community leaders. In recognition of his efforts, among other awards, Fr. Edwin received the first Robert F. Kennedy Award for Urban school Leadership from the National Schools that Can organization in 2014.
Today, St. Benedict’s operates a co-ed K - 6 Elementary Division and 7-8 Middle Division, and a 9 - 12 Prep Division comprising separate male and female sections. More than 750 students, most from African heritage and Hispanic backgrounds, are served by 58 faculty members. The School boasts nearly 6,000 alumni who have gone on to become not only leaders in their respective careers, but in their families and communities.
