Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Friends.

Visitation Academy educates students in grades pre-K3 through 8. We are a successful Christ-centered, Middle States accredited, Blue Ribbon School. This success is the result of the collaboration and partnership between faculty, staff, clergy, and the parents of this school. In concert with all of you, I continue to work in earnest to foster a community of caring and will continue the legacy and success that has been established here. I strive to provide the Visitation Academy community with a safe, secure, and nurturing environment as we focus on excellence in both academics and faith formation by fostering the total development of each student: spiritually, morally, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.

My name is Karen Drew, and it is truly an honor and my pleasure to be the Principal of Visitation Academy. I am a product of Catholic education and a life-long learner. I hold a BS in Organizational Leadership, an MS in Management/ School Administration, SBA Certification, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Caldwell University. Before coming to Visitation Academy, I worked in corporate finance and legal administration, served as Director of Finance & Operations/ SBA of an inner-city charter school, and most recently held the position of Assistant Superintendent for Bergen County and Director of School Services for the Archdiocese of Newark. My husband and I are proud parents of 3 children and 4 wonderful grandsons.

For me, communication and teamwork are the keys to a successful educational experience, and I am truly blessed to be a part of this community where those qualities are valued. Your ideas and concerns are important to me, and my door is always open. Please feel free to call the office or email me to discuss any concerns or suggestions you may have... or to just let me know how much you love Visitation Academy!  

God bless you and your family...
Dr.  Karen Drew         

“Education today is dealing with a generation that changes... Every teacher and the entire church is called to change, in the sense of knowing how to communicate with the young people before them” ... Pope Francis (2014)