Photo Provided John Rose was recently named principal at St. John Central Academy in Bellaire. Rose stands in the school’s newly designed STEM chemistry lab.

BELLAIRE — John Rose was eager to be part of a school of faith. He wanted to be part of a place that he has loved all his life. He also wanted to give back his values and continue on a great tradition of academics, family and community.

He wanted to come home. And fortunately for Rose, home was looking for someone such as him.

Rose recently was named the principal at St. John Central Academy, beginning the school year looking to lead the Christian-based school to new heights as it embarks on a new chapter. Rose, a 1991 graduate of the former St. John Central High School, is grateful for the opportunity.

“I want to see this school thrive,” Rose said. “In order for the school to thrive, I want to make sure students love coming here. I want them to love coming here because of the instruction they receive on all levels of their being.

“I want teachers to love working here. I want to see this school have a positive impact on the community around it. To that end, we are going to grow in many aspects. We are going to grow in number, grow academically, grow financially and grow our outreach in the community.”

Rose, who has a master’s degree in French instruction from Indiana University, a master’s degree in piano performance from Duquesne University and a doctoral degree in piano performance from West Virginia University, recently worked at a school in Virginia. He has been head of department chairs at many schools and always had an eye on becoming a principal.

When the position came open at the school where he once roamed the halls, it was a no-brainer to throw his hat in the ring.

St. John Central Academy Board President Johnetta Yaegel was eager to meet with Rose and the two found out they shared the same mission.

His talents have taken him abroad on several occasions,” Yaegel said. “He has the experience of larger colleges and universities where he has taught and larger schools in the U.S. that have diversified programs. He understands how these work. He is patient, he is responsive and not reactive, and he brings experience and ideas that can help us build a school that is respected and dedicated to the best education for our students.

“Dr. Rose is an alum. He has a heart for our legacy and our future. He knows that our school has the rigor and the academia that creates greatness. So many of the people who graduated from our school are leaders in health care, law, education and entrepreneurship. The students who graduate from SJCA have those same qualities, and we all understand how important it is to build our curriculum and offer new and exciting classes for them.”

Since the school became independent from the Diocese of Steubenville five years ago, many updates have been added, including new textbooks, a $92,000 boiler, Smartboards, staff laptops and online programs. Yaegel, through the help of her fellow board members and generous donors, has built much from the ground up, including more than $120,000 in new technologies, microscopes and equipment for the science program, specifically remodeling the STEM chemistry lab.

Needless to say, Rose will have plenty at his disposal as he looks to take the school toward the next step.

“We are going to be a premier school in the area on multiple levels,” he said. “Our goal is to become a boarding school, and we are starting to lay the groundwork for that. We are working on plans to add coding and robotics and several other programs to our curriculum, which will be revealed as they progress.

“We are going to expand our student body and our teachers, including what our teachers are offering. We are going to expand our sports programs and our music programs.”

One of those board members knows Rose very well.

SJCA Athletics Director and Dean of Students Robert “Bubba” Kapral works up close with Rose every day and sees what he brings to the school. It was a lot of what he saw from him many years ago when Rose was a standout on the Fighting Irish track team, led by the Hall of Fame coach.

“When we were in search for a new principal, I was excited one of my former athletes was chosen … one that I hold in the highest regard,” Kapral said. “Johnny brings a fresh and innovative approach to his new position, one that should prove very beneficial to St. John’s.

“Johnny was a very talented hurdler and high jumper. He played a major role in our boys winning OVAC and district championships. But Johnny possessed much more than physical talent. Johnny was and is a very intelligent person. His talents were not confined to athletics. He was an exceptional and multi-talented musician while also excelling in the classroom.

“Johnny was inquisitive and striving to better himself. He was a great teammate and tireless worker. I could tell back then Johnny was gifted in many facets and had the mental makeup to realize great success in life.”

While turning SJCA into a boarding school will be a daunting task, it is one Rose has experience in from former stops, with an eye on bringing in students from Europe, Asia, and possibly South America.

“It is going to be great for everyone,” Rose said. “Students from other countries are still interested in coming here and we have a lot to offer them. For our students as well, it will bring an international culture and expose them to new ideas that will open up their minds and perhaps inspire them to new careers and ways of doing things in their life. It will give them new types of friendships and new understandings.”

Rose is joined on this new adventure by his wife, Hsing-Yi, and 10-month-old daughter Wynona Grace.

“It is eye-opening (being back at SJCA) and I have to remember to have compassion for everyone on every level,” Rose said. “I am grateful to the board for their trust in me and I will do my best.”