Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart is led by two leaders who work in collaboration to bring Carrollton into the future. The Head of School leads the academic life of the school, counseling and student life. The President focuses on institutional advancement and the operational side of the school. They share many duties, such as spiritual leadership, Board relations, strategic planning, education to mission, social justice, inclusion and diversity, community engagement, and admissions and financial aid. Carrollton is blessed to have two extraordinary individuals who ensure the advancement of our mission of Sacred Heart education in South Florida.

A Letter from Carrollton's Leadership

We welcome you to the 2024-2025 academic year here at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart with great pleasure and excitement. This is an inspiring time in the life of this school of Christ’s Heart in Miami.

As a Catholic and Sacred Heart institution, Carrollton’s aim is to develop one’s whole self– mind, body, and spirit. Since 1961, Carrollton has educated and helped form thousands of young women who have gone on to help make a difference in the world.

It is an honor to serve this remarkable and mission-filled Sacred Heart school. As leaders of this institution, we have the privilege of seeing God’s work each day. Our faculty and staff have inspired our students to be their best. Our parents have trusted us to help form and educate their daughters– their most cherished blessings. The alumnae are ever-passionate about their school. The members of the Board of Trustees have supported our sacred mission while allowing us to be bold with our aspirations. Our students consistently amaze us with their eagerness to learn, serve, and aspire to make a difference in a world that needs leaders. Undoubtedly, St. Madeleine Sophie is lovingly watching over this school of Christ’s Heart in Miami and filling us all with her joyful vision.

We encourage you to learn more about Carrollton on our website. It is a digital illustration about what makes our school a unique and extraordinary place.

God Bless,

Heather Gillingham-Rivas '94

Head of School

Patrick J. Coyle

President

Get to Know the Leadership

Head of School

Heather Gillingham-Rivas '94

Heather Gillingham-Rivas '94

Heather is an alumna of Carrollton ('94), Harvard University (A.B. cum laude, '98), and Barry University (M.S., '09). Heather has seven years of experience as a high school science teacher, and 16 years as Carrollton's Intermediate School Head (Grades 4-6) before being appointed as Carrollton's Head of School in 2022. Additionally, Heather served on behalf of the Provincial of the Society of the Sacred Heart United States-Canada Province from 2012-2018 on the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals, which oversees the 25 Network schools for adherence to the Goals and Criteria. She brings a wealth of experiences to Carrollton which strengthens our ongoing academic/curriculum development and positions Carrollton as a leader in the Miami community, in the Sacred Heart Network, and beyond. She and her husband Gustavo Rivas are the proud parents of a Carrollton alumna, Olga Rocio '22.

President

Patrick J. Coyle

Patrick J. Coyle

Patrick is an alumnus of Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland ('03) and Dickinson College (B.A., '07). Patrick came to us from Lake Forest Academy (LFA) in Illinois, where he served as the Chief Communications Officer. Prior to LFA, Patrick was the Director of Marketing & Communications and Chief of Staff at Georgetown Prep for over eight years. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, capital campaigns, crisis communication, social media marketing, and alumni relations. Before Georgetown Prep, he served as Director of Marketing at a hospitality-focused private equity and investment firm based in Washington, D.C. Patrick and his wife Hayley, a Class of 2004 alumna from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, are the parents of two young sons, Liam and Reid.

Patricia Sanchez Abril '93, P'29
Sheldon Anderson
Alan Atkinson P'25, '32
Carol Cabezas '94 P'28
Frances de La Chapelle, RSCJ
Christian Diez, M.D. P'27, '29, '31
Richard Dioli
Laura Kelly Garcia '95, P'27
Alexandra Hudson P'29, '32
Jason A. Johnson
Beba Padron P'18, '25
Fr. Mark Reeves
Ana Gloria Rivas-Vasquez '78, P'19, '20
Carmen M. Sabater P'12
Ileana C. Sayre P'20
Ann Taylor, RSCJ
Jose Tomas P'23