Photo by Brian Collier/Marist School

ATLANTA—Masses, sporting events and enthusiastic assemblies with staff and students have filled the calendar of J.D. Childs, the new president of Marist School. 

In addition to being present on campus for various events, he plans to meet individually with all 200 employees before the end of the school year. 

“Teachers and students are the most important folks at Marist School,” said Childs. “So my hope for my first year as president surrounds them.” 

Childs is the first appointed lay president of Marist in the school’s 122-year history. Knowing the transition to lay leadership was inevitable, the Society of Mary spent years creating programs and infrastructure to ensure the continuation of Catholic education with the Marist charism.  

The school conducted an extensive global search for its first lay president following an April 2022 announcement that Father Bill Rowland, SM, would step down as president on June 30. In November of last year, Childs was announced as the new president along with Father Rowland’s new role as rector. 

“The hiring of J.D. Childs as our new school president, combined with Father Rowland’s ongoing involvement, ensures Marist School will continue to be in excellent hands,” said Society of Mary U.S. Provincial Father Joseph Hindelang, SM. 

As a school with a president/principal model, Childs collaborates closely with Marist School Principal Kevin Mullally. 

The new Marist president views the transition to lay leadership as a “momentous time” for the school.  

“I feel a ton of gratitude and…