Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington has appointed Mr. Jonathan D. Brand as Head of School for Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School in Arlington, effective July 1, 2026.
Mr. Brand has many years of experience as an educator and administrator, most recently serving as Head of School at Grymes Memorial School in Orange, Virginia. At Grymes, he partnered with his administrative team to increase enrollment, strengthen operations, develop a comprehensive master plan, and lead a successful $12 million capital campaign that resulted in the construction of a gymnasium at the school and other facility enhancements. Previously, Mr. Brand served for 11 years as the founding Headmaster of Chelsea Academy, an independent Catholic, college preparatory school in Front Royal.
“I am confident that Mr. Jonathan Brand is the ideal person to assume this role as Head of School at Bishop O'Connell,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. “For generations, Bishop O'Connell High School has been a faith-filled community of learning, rooted in the life of Christ. By God's grace, I believe Mr. Brand's commitment to making Christ known in mind and heart, and his experience in sustaining excellence in Catholic education, will bear abundant fruit for Bishop O'Connell. I also express my thanks to Mr. Bill Crittenberger for his dedicated and faithful service to Bishop O’Connell as Head of School and congratulate him on his upcoming retirement.”
After current Head of School Mr. Bill Crittenberger announced his retirement earlier this year, Bishop Burbidge appointed a search committee that was led by school advisory board chair Michael Griffen and included Superintendent of Schools Joseph Vorbach. Partnering with Catholic Recruiter Associates (CRA), the committee worked diligently over several months to evaluate candidates from across the diocese, the Greater Washington, D.C. area, and nationally.
“Jonathan Brand emerged from a very thorough process as the right person to be the next leader for Bishop O’Connell,” said Dr. Vorbach. “His faithful witness, his thoughtful leadership style and his successes as a leader in various settings have prepared him for this moment, which he is coming to with great enthusiasm.”
“Bishop O’Connell High School has long stood out as a flagship institution in the Diocese of Arlington and an authentic, Christ-centered school whose inspiring mission is lived out by the entire school community in remarkable ways,” said Jonathan Brand. “I am deeply grateful to Bishop Burbidge for this opportunity, and I consider it a blessing and honor to join the leadership team in the work of guiding the school and building on its outstanding legacy.”
Mr. Brand holds a B.A. in History from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in History from William & Mary. He and his family are active parishioners at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas.