Schools

Andrew Croley Will be Off and Running as Lindbergh High School's New Principal

The former St. Helen's High School (Portland, OR), Croley will take the helm at Lindbergh in July.

Andy Croley, the new principal of Lindbergh High School, plans to literally hit the ground running when he takes over his new position this fall.

"I am an active runner," Croley said in an email exchange with Patch.  "About five years ago I started running.  Since then, I have run in over 30 events." 

Croley already has signed up to compete in the Rock and Roll Half Marathon that takes place in St. Louis in October. Croley and his wife, Erin, also will compete in the Big Sur International Marathon in April in California.  Croley also said he enjoys backpacking, hiking and spending time with his two children, Aislyn, 4, and Zander, 2. Croley also says he enjoys cooking, but admits he doesn't have as much time to pursue that interest.

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Croley currently is principal of St. Helen's High School (SHHS) in Portland, OR. He said he will rely on a variety of experiences from that role at his new post at Lindbergh.

"There are many experiences that I will bring with me to Lindbergh," Croley said in an email. "From serving as the instructional leader of the building to overseeing school budgets, there are many skills that will transfer easily. As I have experienced at SHHS, I look forward to quickly becoming part of the Lindbergh HS “family” and interacting with students in a positive manner."

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One of Croley's techniques will be to create a welcoming atmosphere in the high school that will appeal to students.

"It begins with building strong relationships where students enjoy coming to school each day and want to be active participants in the learning process," Croley said.  "From that point, it much easier to provide a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for colleges and the workplace."

But success in high school isn't only about instruction in the classroom, Croley said.

"Extra-curricular activities are an important part of the educational process," he said. "Research shows that students who participate in activities typically have higher grades and better attendance."

Croley has been an active participant in sports programs while at St. Helen's High School.

"I enjoy supporting all student activities, from sports, to marching band, to FBLA competitions," he said. "I coached high school and club soccer for 12 years, and served as an assistant boys basketball coach for five years and two years as a track assistant."

Getting to know you

"My immediate plans are to spend time getting to know the (Lindbergh) students, staff, and community.  I look forward to spending time in classrooms so I can get an understanding of what quality instruction looks like at LHS," Croley said. "(Current principal) Dr. Helms and his staff have worked hard to make LHS one of the top high schools in Missouri and in the country.  I look forward to continuing a tradition of forward thinking and being a model high school in the state."

Finally, a stereotypical St. Louis question: Where did you go to high school? 

"I attended Dinwiddie High School in Virginia.  My wife attended Hazelwood West.


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