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Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg left a lasting impact upon Sister Ellen Marie Hagar's life.

Beyond the academics, traveling with the school's nuns opened her eyes to the dedication, love and lives of service they led, so much so it inspired her to become a nun herself.

"Elizabeth Seton was by far the best educational institution I've ever gone to," she said. "I met a lot of people here who broadened my horizons."

Sister Hagar, who graduated in 1974, came back to Elizabeth Seton this month to take over as the school's new president.

The Daughters of Charity in Emmitsburg transferred Sister Hagar to the post after they transferred the previous president, Sister Virginia Ann Brooks, to a hospital in Florida. Sister Hagar said it's a common practice for sisters to transfer after 10 years at a post.

Sister Hagar served as principal for eight years at Saint Peter Claver School in Macon, Ga., a kindergarten through eighth grade school.

Claver's school board chairwoman, Holly Boettger-Tong, said Sister Hagar oversaw major projects and increased school enrollment by 70 percent.

"She built a new preschool and library, and there's been a significant increase in enrollment," Boettger-Tong said. "And the amazing thing about her is she knew every kid by name."

She is also committed to applying the same style of leadership at Elizabeth Seton, even though the school's population is about 640 students, which is more than the 250 at her previous school.

"I don't want to walk down the hall and not know somebody's name," she said.

Sister Hagar said one special challenge she faces is the fact that Elizabeth Seton is financially supported by the Archdiocese of Washington and that the school is sustained by tuition and donors.

This school year will be "the year of the alumni," she added, as a way to garner financial support for the school.

"We want to make sure our alumni feel connected with Elizabeth Seton," she said.

The school's director of marketing, Laura Clark, said although enrollment numbers at the school are meeting targets, there is increasingly more competition among private schools to attract students.

Clark said part of the president's role is to deal with the school on a macro-level: internal personnel, finances and community involvement.

Sister Hagar grew up in nearby Cheverly and her family now lives in Annapolis, so in many ways, returning to the school was a homecoming. But there have been noticeable changes, like the addition of expansion of athletics.

"You can see [the curriculum] responding to today's woman," she said. "Now, it's the responsibility of the school to include in education fine arts, athletics, technology."

Although she misses her previous post, Sister Hagar said she is excited to be back and is impressed by the dedication of the teachers and the "spirit of the women" who attend the school.

"They're so loving and grateful and gracious," she said. "I'm just enthralled by the attitude of the girls."

E-mail Elahe Izadi at eizadi@gazette.net.