New St. Paul Westlake principal excited for the future

New St. Paul Westlake principal Jeremy Louden.

Admittedly, Jeremy Louden has a big job in front of him. He likens it to working on a jigsaw puzzle. Running Westlake’s oldest independent preparatory school for students in grades Pre-K through 8 is no easy task. But the West Park native is up to the challenge.

“I want this to be a thriving community where we focus on spirituality, academics, leadership and innovation,” he said. Louden officially began his duties as St. Paul's principal on July 2. “Right now, I’m learning the bits and pieces and how everything fits together.”

Louden, 33, who comes to St. Paul Westlake from Lutheran South Academy in Houston, Texas, describes his educational philosophy simply.

“Every student deserves a high quality education, and should be treated equally, fairly and with respect.” Don’t forget, however, to add the faith-based component into the mix. “It (our faith) drives everything we do through the viewpoint of our beliefs and our Christian world view,” he said.

Louden said it’s a great time to be taking the helm of his new school. “We’re celebrating our 160th Anniversary in 2018-2019, and it’s just very exciting.”

This is a year of lots of change for Louden and his wife, Elizabeth, who is a teacher. In addition to the new job, a new home and relocation back to the Buckeye state, the couple expect their third child in October. They are the parents of Natalie, 6, and Maverick, 3. Louden and his family now call North Ridgeville home.

“It’s good to be back home in Greater Cleveland,” he said.