Principal's Message

Graduating from Cardinal O’Hara in 1989 remains one of my proudest moments, and it is with that same pride and gratitude that I approach each day as principal. Now in my eleventh year in this role, I feel incredibly blessed to walk alongside our past, present, and future Lions on their journey.

At O’Hara, our Catholic Identity is the foundation of all we do. Each day, our students are encouraged to serve God, serve others, and live out our motto of Pride, Excellence, and Tradition. We believe true excellence—whether in the classroom, on the field, or through service—requires faith, determination, and a willingness to rise above expectations. Every Lion deserves the opportunity to shine, and we are committed to providing pathways for each student to find success and fulfillment according to their own gifts and goals.

We set the bar high because we believe in our students- and every day they rise to the challenge with grace and purpose.

For these reasons, we established the #Lion4Life Culture, which serves as a daily reminder that supporting our shared vision must always be at the forefront of our minds and hearts.

On behalf of our entire faculty, staff, and administration, I can say with confidence that it is a joy to be part of this community. The family spirit that many feel on their first tour of O’Hara is not just a feeling—it’s real and it’s lasting (though we all admit late April and early May can test even the strongest spirits!). Our mission is to develop compassionate leaders, creative thinkers, and faithful individuals prepared to make a difference in the world.

Excellence doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires the support of our families, alumni, and community. Please know your voice matters, and your partnership is deeply valued. Don’t hesitate to reach out—I'm always happy to hear from you at eileen.murphy@cohs.com.

God bless you and your family,

Ms. Eileen Murphy
Principal