Barbara Roche, the long-time veteran president of Nerinx Hall High School, is retiring and her replacement will be the principal of a private school in New Orleans.

John Gabriel, principal of Ursuline Academy in New Orleans, takes over the post on July 1.

In statement, Gina Heagney, chair of Nerinx Hall's board of directors, lauded Gabriel's commitment to Catholic education and his "strong belief in the Loretto values of faith, community, justice and respect, which are the cornerstone of everything that we do at Nerinx. We are confident that our school will continue to thrive under his leadership."

According to the Ursuline website, Gabriel accepted the Nerinx Hall position on Oct. 30.

"During John’s tenure as principal, the high school has seen excellent growth in many areas, including the introduction of new (advanced placement) courses and an honors curriculum," wrote Eugene Priestley, the chairman of Ursuline's board of trustees. "We are thankful for his leadership. We know that he will be equally successful in his new position."

Roche has spent most of her educational career along Lockwood Avenue at Mary Queen of Peace, Nerinx Hall and Webster College, which became Webster University in 1983. She became president of of Nerinx in 1986, and was honored for 25 years of work at the school nearly a year ago.

Roche grew up in the St. Louis area and is an alumni of Nerinx Hall. She joined the school’s board in 1982 and became its president in 1986. She is a member of the Sisters of Loretto, a Catholic order of religious women who founded Nerinx Hall, Webster University and more than 225 other schools for students of all ages.