John Cooke is the incoming president of Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast High School, effective Aug. 10, 2015, Catholic officials announced Monday.
Cooke, 41, joins the school following 12 years of service at Drexel University. He served the university as assistant director of residential living, director of campus activities, and associate dean of students.
He succeeds the Rev. James P. Olson, who is now school minister at Saints John Neumann-Maria Goretti High School in Philadelphia.
"A key piece to our long-term success is finding strong leadership and attracting high-quality candidates to our effort toward growth and innovation in Archdiocesan secondary schools," Christopher Mominey, chief operating officer and secretary for Catholic education, said in a statement. Cooke has "first-hand knowledge as a past educator in Philadelphia Catholic education."
In addition to his positions at Drexel, Cooke, a 1991 graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School, taught math, science and social studies and served as athletic director at Christ the King Parish School in Philadelphia.
He holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Millersville University, a master's in college student personnel and is pursuing his education doctorate from Drexel, with an anticipated completion date of December 2015.