When Dan Ochoa first arrived on the campus of St. AnthonyCatholic High School as Principal, there was a hard taskahead of him. The school, which was then an all–boys school, wassuffering through enrollment issues that were affecting every Catholicschool across the nation. Dan’s leadership helped bring togethera team that would turn the fortune of the school around, and preparehim in three short years for his current leadership position asthe Dean of Preparatory Programs for the University of the IncarnateWord (UIW), where he now oversees every school in the BrainpowerConnection.
The Brainpower Connectionis a consortium ofschools which came to fruitionunder the vision of Dr.Louis Agnese Jr., UIW President.The schools that forma part of the BrainpowerConnection currently includeUIW, Incarnate WordHigh School, St. AnthonyCatholic High School, St.Anthony Catholic School,and St. Peter Prince of theApostles Catholic School.All five institutions enjoy a healthy enrollment, with a couple ofthem currently hosting waiting lists of students who would welcomethe opportunity to be enrolled at these schools. Although there is individualityamongst the schools, all five follow the teachings of theCatholic religion, but enjoy very unique traditions, which are thebest part of Ochoa’s job.
“I’d have to say that the best part of my job is working with all differentkinds of kids. I like getting to know all of the schools and thedifferent things that they do to be unique in their own special way,”he said. All schools under the Brainpower Connection have a stronginternational presence, allowing students who may otherwise not beable to interact with different cultures to enjoy learning in a truly internationalcommunity. Under the guidance of both Dr. Agnese, andDr. Cyndi Porter, Vice President for Extended Academic Programs,the Brainpower Connection schools boast some of the highest levelsof academic performance in the city, and are seen as true leaders inCatholic education. In fact, as a testament to the trust that he hasin the Brainpower Connection, Ochoa’s two children, Taylor, 10and Jake, 7 have attended St. Anthony Catholic School the last fewyears.
The high schools of the Brainpower Connection enjoy a 100percent graduation rate, and students are dedicated to serving theircommunity, opening the doors to scholarships. “Like most Catholicschools, each school builds a moral compass, but our kids not onlyget a faith–based education, they leave high school with a sense ofcommunity commitmentand cultural identity thatis very unfamiliar to manystudents who go to collegefor the first time,” saidOchoa. Additionally, mostof the high school studentsare involved in SeniorConnection, a programthrough which they canearn college credits whilethey are in high school, oftenallowing them to entercollege with enough creditsto become sophomores.
Although Ochoa is the leadadministrator who oversees the schools, he sometimes finds it difficultto let go of day–to–day issues that arise at each of the schools.“I’m supposed to empower people, but my personality sometimeswants to take over and handle things myself. I have to learn to stepback and let the principals at each school do what is best for theschool,” Ochoa said.
Dean Ochoa plans to move the Brainpower Connection forwardto the next level through innovative educational partnershipsthat will prepare students to be at the top of their classes. Onepossibility that he is currently exploring is that of electronic textbooks, in addition to the ongoing improvement and expansion ofthe classrooms. “I know from what I can see going on at the schoolsthat every child will receive the best education possible, and I amcommitted to each and every parent that puts their trust in ourhands,” said Ochoa.
