CRANBERRY TWP — Luke Crawford has been on the staff less than a year at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School and now he is the school’s newest principal.

Crawford, who is the third principal at the school this school year, said he’s a bit surprised he’s now in charge, but that he is excited about the job.

“It was about a week ago that Bishop (David) Zubik approached me and asked me if I was interested in the job,” Crawford said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity. I’m honored.”

Crawford took the reins of the high school on Thursday following the sudden resignation of Ann C. Gaudino, who had been the head of the new high school since Dec. 15, 2014. Gaudino replaced former principal Kellie Abbott, who resigned with no notice in October 2014.

In addition to hiring Crawford, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, which manages the school, also named an assistant principal, Nicholas Tisak, who began work today.

Before Tisak’s hiring, the school did not have an assistant principal position.

Father Ron Lengwin, a spokesman for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, said officials are excited to add Crawford and Tisak to the North Catholic staff.

“He was obviously an excellent teacher,” Lengwin said of Crawford. “He had some administrative experience. He was very committed to a Catholic education. He has a very deep faith.”

In a letter sent to diocese supporters, Zubik said the 2014-15 school year at North Catholic had been one of “excitement and challenges.”

Of Crawford, Zubik said, “He is poised to be a strong leader of our high school in the years to come.”

Crawford began work immediately in his new role Thursday following Gaudino’s resignation.

Lengwin said Gaudino left her position, adding that the diocese had not received the usual two-week notice of her departure.

“She decided that she wanted to explore some other opportunities,” Lengwin said of Gaudino. “She wrote a letter of resignation and turned it in (Thursday). It was finalized on Thursday.”

Crawford came to North Catholic after seven years at Quigley Catholic High School in Baden. There he was a religion teacher, the chairman of the religion department, and also an administrative assistant to the principal.

At North Catholic, where Crawford started working in September 2014, he was an 11th and 12th grade religion teacher, was the chairman of the religion department, and was dean of students.

Crawford said his original goal when he took the position at North Catholic was to someday work as an administrator — he just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.

“I’m a bit surprised,” he added.

With only three months to go before the second year of classes on the new campus begin, Crawford said he has plans to continue the curriculum program started by Gaudino and also work to add students to the school.

Gaudino brought a different type of curriculum to North Catholic in her short time on the staff, implementing a philosophy of teaching called “STREAMM-PLUS.”

Crawford said the system is more well-rounded than traditional “STEM” studies.

“One of the downsides with (STEM) is that kids get stuck in one track,” Crawford said. “The idea behind ‘STREAMM-PLUS’ is that it’s project-based learning in all courses. It’s a more balanced approach.”

Looking ahead to the fall, Crawford said the high school hopes to have about 350 students for the 2015-16 school year.

Forty-four students graduated from the high school after the first year in Cranberry.

Crawford said 90 new students already have enrolled for classes next fall, and he expects a freshman class of roughly 110 students.