The Bethlehem Academy Board of Directors is pleased to announce that after a comprehensive search, Paula Leider has been appointed as Bethlehem Academy’s new Head of School, effective July 1, 2025.  Mrs. Leider comes to us with a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the values of Catholic education. The appointment of Mrs. Leider has been approved by Dominican Veritas Ministries and Archbishop Hebda, and we are confident in her ability to lead Bethlehem Academy to a bright future.

Paula Leider has spent her entire career dedicated to Catholic education in Minnesota. She has seven years’ experience as a Catholic school principal, having served as Principal of Carondelet Catholic School in Minneapolis and prior to that she was Principal at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud. Leider started her career at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, where she served as a high school English teacher for 16 years. Currently she is teaching on the middle school English faculty at Hill-Murray.

Leider is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and earned a Master of Arts degree in Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Education in K-12 Reading from the University of St. Thomas. In addition, Leider completed an Education Specialist degree and licensure in 2019. 

As we continue to build on the strong Sinsinawa Dominican foundation of academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community engagement that Bethlehem Academy is known for, we are excited to work alongside Mrs. Leider to further our mission of forming young leaders who are committed to faith, service, and academic achievement.

We invite you to join us in welcoming Mrs. Leider to our school community. We ask you to keep her in your prayers as she begins this important role. We will share more information and details for the installation ceremony planned for this summer when the details are finalized. Click HERE to read Mrs. Leider’s introduction letter.

Thank you for your continued support of Bethlehem Academy. We look forward to an exciting year ahead!

In Faith,

Beth Dienst, Chair                                                         Erin Langenfeld, Chair
Bethlehem Academy Board of Directors                    Head of School Search Committee