New principal chosen for St. Thomas More Academy
- Sofia M
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
By Sofia Montoya-Deck
Published in the Frederick News-Post on June 12, 2025
St. Thomas More Academy has chosen Daniel Lesho as its new principal. Lesho will begin as principal at the Middletown school on July 1, 2025, the school said in a press release on Wednesday.
"I'm looking forward to working with these teachers, families and students to continue with the building of the classical Catholic education that is offered," Lesho said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.
The Academy, founded in 2000, is an independent, Catholic school that serves students in pre-K 3 through eighth grade.
The school has been directed by co-leaders Patricia Neumark and Veronica Kosch since 2014.
In the fall of 2024, the pair announced plans to step down at the end of the school year. Shortly thereafter, The Academy's Board of Directors began a nationwide search for a new head of school.
According to Kosch, nearly 20 candidates applied for the position. The school contracted Mission Driven Catholic to aid in the search and held listening sessions with teachers, parents and the board.
"Dr. Lesho's experience in and commitment to classical Catholic education fits perfectly with our school's mission and vision," Kosch wrote in a statement sent to The Frederick News-Post. "He brings strong leadership and vision to the role."
According to the school's press release, Lesho has more than 20 years of experience in educational leadership, program development and academic administration.
Lesho, who grew up in Ellicott City, served as the chief academic officer at Pacific States University in Los Angeles for nearly four years. Lesho has held various director positions at the University of California, Davis; California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; and Collegium Sanctorum Angelorum, which specializes in classical education.
"I really tried to gear my career towards classical education once I started to read a lot more about it and to understand it very clearly," Lesho said. "I would really like to help families as best I can to come to a better understanding of what classical Catholic education is and get their help in creating the very best experience for their sons and daughters," he added.
Lesho earned his doctorate in educational leadership from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He received his master's in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Simmons University and a bachelor's in theater arts and history from Providence College.
"I would invite parents of young children to really take a very close look into classical education, no matter at what level or what persuasion it is," Lesho said. "It is such a great way to help a young person develop and grow both intellectually and spiritually."
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