Dr. Albert Monillas has been named Head of School at Sacred Heart High School, Vineland. The appointment was announced by Msgr. John Burton, rector, and the Sacred Heart High School Board of Limited Jurisdiction.
A native of Philadelphia and a product of the city’s Catholic schools, Dr. Monillas is a graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia, where he majored in philosophy. As a young man, he entered religious life in the Norbertine Community and attained his master’s degree in religious education, teaching elementary school at a variety of archdiocesan schools in Philadelphia.
After leaving community life, he married Mardie, and they raised two children in Cape May, where he currently resides. Dr. Monillas taught religion at Holy Spirit High School for nearly 15 years before moving into administration, first as assistant superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Wilmington, Del., then as superintendent of schools in four public school districts in New Jersey. From 2002-07, he also served as New Jersey State Assistant Commissioner of Education and as County Superintendent of Schools in Cape May and Camden counties.
Dr. Monillas attained his doctorate in educational leadership in 1992 from Nova Southeastern University. During his tenure as superintendent of schools, he received numerous citations from the New Jersey Legislature and county freeholders and was recognized by President Clinton as one of the nation’s best after he led one school district from Level III, the brink of state takeover, back to financial stability.
Dr. Monillas oversaw numerous facility projects, including new schools in Upper Township and Pennsauken, served as “Blue Ribbon Schools” site visitor for 10 years, and served on numerous Middle States accreditation teams.
He has served as adjunct professor at Rowan University and Richard Stockton College, been a member of the University of Pennsylvania’s Study Council for many years, and has served on doctoral dissertation committees at Seton Hall University, the University of Pennsylvania and Rowan University.