Eastside Catholic School is pleased to announce Soonja Larsen as the next high school principal. Larsen brings a wealth of experience, proven leadership and a deep connection to the school's values. Her unwavering passion for the school’s mission and clear vision for the future made her a unanimous choice of the search committee to guide Eastside Catholic High School forward. Larsen has 13 years of experience at Eastside Catholic and was most recently appointed as Acting High School Principal in 2024.
President Gil Picciotto commented, “As a valued and integral member of our community, Soonja Larsen emerged as the clear and unanimous choice for this role. A certificated principal and National Board-Certified teacher, Soonja brings proven leadership, a deep understanding of our school and an unwavering passion for our mission, making her the ideal individual to guide the high school in the years ahead. Congratulations to Soonja on this well-deserved opportunity.”
Eastside Catholic School partnered with Carney Sandoe, a nationally recognized leader in educational recruitment, in June 2024, to launch a national search for a visionary leader with the skills and dedication to advance the school’s mission. The comprehensive search process was guided by Carney Sandoe and supported by an internal search committee comprised of board members, alumni, parents, faculty and other key stakeholders.
A Legacy of Leadership
A certificated principal and National Board-Certified teacher, Larsen’s years at Eastside Catholic are marked by dedication and impactful contributions across a variety of roles, including:
- Acting High School Principal (six months)
- High School Assistant Principal (two years)
- Dean of Students (two years)
- Choir Director, Department Chair and Musical Director (six years)
- Coordinator of Academic Extracurricular Activities and Field Trips (two years)
Academic Credentials
Larsen holds a master’s in educational leadership and principal certification from Seattle Pacific University. She also earned dual bachelor's degrees in fine arts from Seattle University and in music education from Western Washington University.
A Vision for the Future
In her new role, Larsen shared her commitment to the Eastside Catholic community:
"As high school principal, my vision is to be a model servant leader to support and advocate for students, families, faculty and staff. EC has been a home and second family to me for 13 years. This next opportunity is an exciting possibility of being able to serve this community that I love and care for.
I am deeply invested in the growth and development of the school as an institution. I am committed to helping our community live out our touchstones through maintaining a learning environment of high academic rigor, encouraging strong relationships so that all of our students have a genuine sense of belonging and promoting a strong culture of servant leadership."
Eastside Catholic is excited about the future under Larsen’s leadership and guidance. We are confident that she will continue to build and improve upon our school’s strong foundation, providing students with an exceptional educational experience rooted in academic excellence, faith and community.