Rosalie Doherty

Principal, Holy Cross Catholic School
Independence Mission Schools
2024 Neubauer Fellow
Sector
Faith-Based
School/Org Neighborhood
Mt. Airy
Education
.Ed w. Reading Specialist Certification, St. Joseph’s University
M.Ed. Elementary Education, Chestnut Hill College
MS in Journalism, Temple University
BS in Business Administration LaSalle University
I serve as a principal so that I can provide the opportunity for students to learn with equity, academic excellence, and truth. I became a Neubauer Fellow to contribute to a more equitable, inclusive education for all students in Philadelphia, and to work with other leaders to overcome barriers facing our students.

Rosalie has served as the principal of Holy Cross School, an Independence Mission School, since 2021. Under her leadership, student achievement percentiles grew from the 55th to the 72nd in reading and from the 45th to the 66th in math as measured by the NWEA MAP test. In addition to advancing student achievement, Rosalie’s priorities include providing an education in which students have the opportunities they deserve and see themselves represented in the school culture and curriculum.

Rosalie has been an educator for over 20 years. She has been with Independence Mission Schools since its inception in 2013, when the network took on the challenge of turning around 14 schools that were slated for closure. Prior to becoming a principal, Rosalie served as assistant principal, instructional coach, teacher, and track coach. As a teacher, her experience includes a wide range of grade levels, with the majority of experience teaching 7th and 8th grade ELA.

Rosalie was selected for TNTP’s Pathway to Leadership in Urban Schools (PLUS) program, obtaining her principal’s certification in 2017. She was a Maguire Scholar in the St. Joseph’s University reading specialist graduate program. She received the St. Joseph’s University Reading Specialist Award in 2020 and the IMS Teacher Impact Award in 2019. Rosalie also serves on the IMS Principals’ Council. She is a graduate of La Salle University, Chestnut Hill College, Temple University, St. Joseph’s University, and Little Flower Catholic High School. She grew up in Philadelphia, PA.