Leadership

Gretchen Z. Kane - President

Gretchen Kane is a highly accomplished educator and administrator who joined Ursuline Academy of Dallas as President in the summer of 2012. From 2004 to 2012, she served as President of Ursuline Academy in New Orleans, founded in 1727 and the oldest continuously operating school for young women in the U.S. There she led the rebuilding of the school against overwhelming circumstances following the catastrophic damage of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

Gretchen Kane’s career also includes positions as Associate Vice President of the Jesuit Secondary Education Association in Washington, D.C. (2001-2004) and Academic Assistant Principal of Jesuit High School in New Orleans (1993-2001). She has extensive teaching experience in mathematics at both the secondary school and college levels.

A Louisiana native, she is a graduate of the University of New Orleans where she earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a B.S. in Mathematics.

Read messages from Gretchen Kane

Read messages from Gretchen Kane

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Christmas Message From The President

Dec 14 2022

It’s a little hard to believe that the first semester of the school year is practically behind us. As a community, we’ve accomplished many wonderful things, and our girls have truly shined in all they’ve undertaken.

A Back-to-School Message From The President

Aug 17 2022

It is with great joy and renewed spirit that we begin the 149th academic school year at Ursuline Academy of Dallas.

A Back-to-School Message From The President

Aug 18 2021

It is with great pleasure that we open the doors of Ursuline Academy of Dallas for its 148th academic school year.

Merry Christmas From the President

Dec 17 2020

As Ursuline Academy prepares for the Christmas holidays, we leave 2020 and all the emotions this year evokes behind us.

Announcing The Campaign For Ursuline

Sep 16 2020

“ACT...MOVE...BELIEVE. Strive, hope, cry out to God with all your heart, for without doubt you will see marvelous things...”

These words from St. Angela Merici, founder of the Ursuline Order, have inspired a pivotal moment in the history of Ursuline Academy of Dallas.

Andrea Shurley, Ed.D. - Principal

Dr. Andrea Shurley, Principal of Ursuline Academy, joined Ursuline in 2014 following 11 years of teaching and administrative experience with the Schools of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco, California. She most recently served as Head of School, Convent of the Sacred Heart High School.

Dr. Shurley received her B.A. in English at The University of Texas at Austin, earned her M.A. in English at Texas State University - San Marcos, and her Doctorate of Education in Catholic Educational Leadership at University of San Francisco.

Prior to her work in education, she had a five-year career in the technology field, first in Austin and then Silicon Valley. She is a graduate of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls Catholic school in Houston.

Read messages from Dr. Andrea Shurley

Read messages from Dr. Andrea Shurley

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A Letter From the Principal

May 24 2023

"Ursuline’s Class of 2023 graduated in a picture-perfect ceremony this past Sunday. These young women have left their legacy at Ursuline and will now move to the next phase of their beautiful lives."

A Letter From the Principal

Apr 12 2023

"The peaceful days of Easter break already feel a little far away, and we are in the final weeks of our school year. It has gone by fast! And, we have a good way to go. This is a good time for us to all take a deep breath and put on our metaphorical running shoes!"

A Letter From the Principal

Mar 1 2023

"All of us have seen the recent headlines talking about the current state of adolescent girls, primarily spurred by a recent report from the CDC. These reports heighten a focus on well-being for those of us who care deeply about our students. Unquestionably, parents of teen girls are seeking reassurance."

A Letter From the Principal

Jan 25 2023

"Two words have been resonating for me this school year: abundance and scarcity.

Whenever I can assess my reaction to a situation or an experience, I always understand my response better when I determine if I am in a place of scarcity or abundance. This can mean scarcity or abundance of time, resources, rest, emotional readiness... the list goes on."

A Letter From the Principal

Nov 17 2022

"Is this school year flying by for your family? It certainly seems to be in high gear from what I can see. The weeks are full, the days are long, and the feeling of time passing is strong. It is always a marvel to me that the right moment to pause comes at just the right time!"