Notre Dame Academy announces new head of school

Notre Dame Academy in Worcester announced that Linda D. Anderson will succeed Marilyn Tencza as head of school on April 1, 2026.  

Mrs. Tencza has been Notre Dame’s head of school since July 2022.  

Mrs. Anderson currently serves as academic coach at Athol High School and was previously the principal of St. Bernard’s High School in Fitchburg from 2019-2024.  

The NDA Board of Trustees’ decision was unanimous.

“Linda is an inspirational leader, a strategic thinker, and an educator at heart,” said Elissa Boisvert, chair of the Board of Trustees. “She will keep students and academics at the center while ensuring the long-term sustainability of Notre Dame Academy.”

Mrs. Anderson holds degrees from Harvard University and Mount Holyoke College and has been recognized with multiple awards, including Teacher of the Year, the National Honor Society’s Excellence in Character Award, and the Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.  
Notre Dame de Namur Sister Virginia Scally, a member of NDA’s Board of Trustees, said that Mrs. Anderson’s “leadership style – rooted in listening, collaboration, and building from the ground up – reflects the very spirit of our Notre Dame de Namur tradition.”  

Mrs. Anderson said that she is “honored to serve the NDA community in this role.”

“The traditions and charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are alive and vibrantly present in our students, teachers, and community, and I can’t wait to help carry their mission forward as we usher our school into its newest iteration.”  

The announcement came as NDA prepares to celebrate 75 years of educating women in central Massachusetts, having been established in 1951 after Bishop John J. Wright invited the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to open a school in the newly established diocese.

“For three-quarters of a century, NDA has proudly educated and empowered young women in Worcester and across Central Massachusetts,” a press release stated. “Rooted in this legacy, the academy continues to stand strong in its mission while embracing a bold vision for the future. This leadership transition is not only an occasion to honor the remarkable achievements of the past 75 years but also an opportunity to shape the next chapter of growth, academic excellence, and a deeper commitment to faith and service.”