February 2019
Veteran of Catholic Education Selected as New Principal

A life-long learner and mission-drive Catholic educator Christopher Smart, Ed.D. , has been selected as O’Dowd’s next principal. “Chris is a great match for our current needs. He is a very careful listener, inviting folks to share their stories - to be heard and honored. He will capably partner with our Associate Principals, nurture teachers and align around our strategic priorities as a school, ” President James Childs said.
Matt Muehlebach:
The Lasting Impact of an O'Dowd Education

If you ask Matt Muehlebach , there’s a lot of similarity between the 1988 University of Arizona Final Four basketball team and the 1986 California Interscholastic Federation Division 1 state runner up O’Dowd varsity basketball team. He should know. He played on both squads. “Both teams had great coaches (Lute Olsen and Mike Phelps) and a lot of really good players but, more importantly, great chemistry,” he said.
Vibrant Black Student Union Going Strong Since 1988

Nearly 20 years ago, Dwight Taylor Sr. '00 was a student leader in the O’Dowd Black Student Union (BSU). Today, Taylor is the co-advisor of the BSU at Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento, empowering the next generation of leaders.
Alumni Reconnect and Reminisce at Annual Crab Feed

The annual Crab Feed provides the perfect opportunity to rally
classmates for a mini-reunion (like members of the classes of 1977 and 1979 did) or simply enjoy a fun night out at O’Dowd. “We had a blast at the Crab Feed,” said Janice Walters Kroll '79.

An Unwavering Commitment to Professional Development

In keeping with the belief that O’Dowd’s Culture of Care begins with our educators and their ability to “see” every student, our school recently provided the opportunity for several faculty and staff members to attend the 2018 People of Color Conference where they participated in workshops that focused on topics such as equity, inclusiveness and justice in the classroom, emotional intelligence and supporting learning challenges in students of color. 

Will You Be Joining Brian Judd at the Alumni Grand Reunion?

Don't be left out! Sign up for the Alumni Grand Reunion and reconnect with faculty and staff, including Associate Principal Brian Judd . At O'Dowd since 1985, Brian also teaches chorus and served for many years as Director of Campus Ministry. Who doesn't remember the Spirit Week Night Rally finale - the sing-a-long with Judd?
"I always pick some classics that everyone seems to know as well as popular songs from that year. It's a thrill to hear 1,000-plu s students singing back at you with everything they've got! "


Campus News

  • O'Dowd Hosts 4th Annual Bay Area Teach-In for Social Justice - Read more
  • Honoring Catholic education at Founders Day celebration - Read more
  • Students inspired by government studies program - Read more
  • Student-athletes participate in MLK Day of Service and Leadership - Read more
  • The actors have been cast, the crew is in place and rehearsals are in full swing for O'Dowd's spring musical, Working - Read more
  • Several Dragons signed National Letters of Intent/committed to play sports in college in a ceremony held in Dominican Lounge on February 6 - Read more
  • O'Dowd is among the nominees for Oakland Magazine's 2019 Best of Oakland and the East Bay contest in the Best Private High School category. Cast your vote for O'Dowd by March 8!
  • Registration is now open for Summer Academy, designed to engage and inspire middle and high schoolers - Read more
Upcoming Events

  • Black History Month Presentation - March 2, 2019 - Get details
  • Career Day - Friday, March 15, 2019
  • Alum Night at the Theater - Friday, May 10, 2019
  • Spring Play: Working - May 3-5 and 10-12, 2019 - Reserve tickets
  • Grand Reunion: Party on the Quad - May 18, 2019 - Get details
Alumni News & Notes

  • Acting teacher and author Mari Lyn Henry '59 receives special award from League of Professional Theatre Women - Read more
  • Motivational speaker Dwight Taylor Sr. '00 recently published Domin8 Your Day: 30 Empowering Statements that Encourage Greatness - Read more
  • Maria Zizka '06 releases her first solo cookbook, The Newlywed Table - Read more
  • A biogeochemist at Woods Hole Research Center, Hillary Sullivan, M.S. '09 participated in study of phosphorus pollution in the Amazon - Read more
  • Freelance photographer and videographer Blair Brown '16 took a photo of singer-songwriter Rita Ora that made Vogue.com - Read more
  • Frankie Hammoude '18 was named to the 2019 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Training Team - Read more
  • Lara Garcia '87 won the January Alumni Challenge! The more monthly challenges you complete, the more chances you'll have to win the Grand Prize.