Principal's faith-filled journey leads to Blessed Trinity Academy

A principal is following a calling to lead Blessed Trinity Academy in Indiana Township, not long after her former Catholic school closed its doors after 99 years.

Margaret “Peggy” Ruefle was a principal at Providence Heights Alpha School in McCandless for 13 years until the school held its final day of operations in June. Now, recently hired at the new parochial school on Middle Road, she believes it was divinely led.

“I think God has a plan. I think God put things in place and nudged me. I feel very blessed to be here,” Ruefle said.

Ruefle is excited to begin a new chapter at Blessed Trinity Academy, which is part of the North Hills Regional Catholic schools. The new school year begins Aug. 21.

“My goal is to get to know everybody, get to know the students, get to know the teachers and help both students and faculty to grow. That’s where I get my joy — watching people flourish, grow and learn,” she said.

Ruefle has a master’s degree in special education and teaching certification from the University of Pittsburgh. She also earned her master’s in school administration and supervision and principal certification from Duquesne University.

The Shaler resident also has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Gannon University.

Blessed Trinity Academy offers grades kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as a preschool program. It is the only school in the North Hills to offer the St. Anthony’s Program, a Catholic-based inclusive educational environment for children with special needs.

Ruefle has experience in special-needs education, having served as principal for five years at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Academy in Zelienople, an alternative education school and program of Glade Run Lutheran Services.

She started her career at the former St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh on the children’s psychiatric unit.

“God gave us gifts, and that’s our job on Earth to serve Him and others. One of my gifts God has blessed me with is the ability to work with kids, all kids,” she said.

She said parents send their children to schools like Blessed Trinity Academy because of the smaller class sizes and high-quality education. Catholic schools focus is on the whole child’s social, emotional and spiritual well-being, she said.

“Catholic education encourages a sense of community and belonging, which I think is important. And it’s where kids can feel safe,” she said.

Blessed Trinity Academy students consistently test higher than their actual grade level in the areas of English, language Arts, math, science and social studies, according to the spring 2024 results of the IOWA testing posted on the school’s website.

The tuition-based school has options for financial aid through the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Several of the families from Alpha Heights Divine Providence have transferred to Blessed Trinity Academy, she said.

Ruefle attended Catholic school at St. Sebastian’s in Ross before graduating from Shaler Area High School, where she was inducted into the Shaler Area Hall of Fame in 2019 for sports.

Ruefle played three sports in high school and college: volleyball, basketball and softball.

She now enjoys playing golf, tennis and, of course, pickleball.

The sports lover is from a big Irish Catholic family — she’s one of 10 children.

“St. Patrick’s Day is my favorite holiday,” she said.

Ruefle considers herself a “good problem solver.”

“I hope I can bring strong leadership, excitement, enthusiasm and maybe a different perspective. I’ve heard some great things. I don’t want to change what’s not broken, but make some irmprovements,” she said.

Meredith Kandravy, spokesperson for Blessed Trinity Academy, said Ruefle is replacing former Principal Elizabeth Vita.

“We are thrilled that Peggy will be joining our BTA family. Our parents, staff and students are excited for her wealth of experience and enthusiasm as we enter this new school year,” Kandravy said.

Families are invited to meet Ruefle during the school’s annual Back to School Bites from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 19.

Providence Heights Alpha School, founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence, neighbors the La Roche University campus in McCandless. The school announced in early February about the pending closure in its 99th year of operation. Ruefle said the school had a drop in enrollment, among other factors.

For details about Blessed Trinity Academy, visit btacademy.net.