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 warmly welcome you to the 2025–2026 academic year at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart with great pleasure and excitement. This is an inspiring and transformative time in the life of our school of Christ’s Heart in Miami. Over the past year, we have made significant progress with our Leading with Heart: Carrollton’s Strategic Plan (2024–2029), laying a strong foundation for continued growth and excellence. You can read more about our progress here.

As a Catholic and Sacred Heart institution, Carrollton is committed to nurturing the development of the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Since 1961, we have proudly educated and formed thousands of young women who have gone on to lead lives of purpose and service, making a meaningful difference in the world. Our commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and social awareness remains steadfast.

It is both a privilege and a sacred duty to serve this remarkable and mission-filled Sacred Heart school. As leaders of this institution, we witness God’s grace unfold daily in our students, faculty, and families. Our beloved foundress, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, continues to lovingly guide our school of Christ’s Heart in Miami, filling us with her vision, wisdom, and joyful spirit.

We invite you to learn more about Carrollton through our website, a dynamic window into what makes our school such a unique and extraordinary place of learning, faith, and community.

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.