Founding Principal

Description

FLSA Status : Full-time / Exempt (unless specified otherwise)

Benefits may include : Paid Holidays / Holy Days, 403b Retirement, 401 (a) Pension Plan, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Employee Assistance Program, Short-term / Long-term Disability.

Benefits may vary based on employment status and location.

Summary :

St. Peter the Apostle is seeking a dynamic, experienced and mission-driven leader to serve as the Founding Principal of the first Catholic classical elementary school located in Boerne, Texas.

It is anticipated that the school will open in August 2025 with two classes per level from PK3 6th grade with the goal of adding 7th and 8th grade in the coming years.

The Founding Principal understands the mission of Catholic classical education, which is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue, love and wonder, by nourishing the soul with truth, goodness, and beauty by means of the seven liberal arts.

The Founding Principal fulfills the school’s mission by serving as the always visible, spiritual, educational, and administrative leader of the school.

The Founding Principal is responsible for the professional effectiveness of the staff, the educational progress of the students, as well as the culture of the entire school community.

The Founding Principal of St. Peter’s will begin in Summer of 2024 (accommodations can be made for leaders currently under contract) and will work with the pastor, dedicated team(s) of St.

Peter’s Parish, School Council and the Department of Catholic Schools. The Founding Principal will address all aspects of opening a new school to include staffing and academic programming.

This visionary servant-leader will demonstrate a strong understanding and love of children and Catholic classical education.

They will also demonstrate prudence to execute a strategic plan and make short-term and long-range decisions to ensure the school grows, prospers and is fully sustainable.

Position Responsibilities :

Supports and upholds the theology, spirituality and liturgical practice of Vatican II, the philosophy of Catholic education, the mission of our school, and episcopal authority of the Archdiocese of San Antonio

Acts as a witness to the Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church

Develops a school culture that reflects the Catholic faith and the St. Peter the Apostle Parish

Supports and adheres to the teachings of the Catholic Church, the Religious Standards for Catholic School Employees, and policies and procedures of the Archdiocese

Maintains confidentiality regarding school matters

Adheres to safety training and protocols on a daily basis and takes precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of self, others.

Responsible for protecting the confidentiality of any information or material obtained in the service with the organization to include but not limited to client names and information, services rendered to clients, donors names and gifts, internal and external investigations or results of any investigations, and financial information.

Adherence to the Code of Conduct and the Faith and Moral Policy is mandatory.

Every employee is required to take a solution-oriented approach in their interactions and undertakings, as well as being a team member that promotes collaboration and commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Lead and Develop School Personnel

Attract, hire, train, and retain highly qualified and mission-aligned faculty and staff for the classical curriculum.

Provide formal and summative feedback to faculty and staff through an archdiocesan approved evaluation process.

Guide the faculty and staff and provide servant-leadership both spiritually and academically.

Develop a sound program for the spiritual and academic growth of the faculty and staff through in-service, conferences, and orientation workshops.

Handle grievances of all faculty and staff.

Identify and manage (performance improvement plan, probation, separation, etc.) faculty and staff who are not mission-aligned or do not perform satisfactorily.

Promote good communication between the faculty, staff, and School Council.

Oversee the evaluation and development of all Catholic classical curriculum and books.

Ensure that sound educational and academic goals are set to help children become analytical and critical thinkers.

Ensure that the school is well equipped with and good stewards of teaching materials, supplies, and resources.

Utilize the resources and participate appropriately with organizations such as Texas Catholic Conference of Bishop’s Education Department (TCCB ED) and the Department of Catholic Schools, in order to keep abreast of current, major trends in education in general and Catholic education in particular.

File all required paperwork with the Department of Catholic Schools and TCCB ED, including attendance records, enrollment, annual reports, accreditation reports, etc.

Oversee the development of the annual school calendar.

Oversee all achievement and standardized testing.

Hold regular faculty and staff meetings.

Attend all board meetings.

Lead the school in acquiring and maintaining TCCB ED Accreditation.

Personal Interaction & Communication with Students and Parents / families

Oversee the annual reenrollment and enrollment drive and make final admission decisions

Loves children, learning and Catholic family life to create and maintain a strong Catholic culture.

Regulate and enforce discipline, both behavioral and mental.

Answer parents’ concerns and set up conferences with faculty and staff regarding students’ academic, social, psychological / emotional, spiritual progress.

Cooperate with professional staff and support personnel in assessing and helping students with health, attitude, learning and behavioral problems.

Maintain open and effective communication regarding all school activities with families via preferred form of communication.

Oversee and plan school-wide spiritual development (e.g. organizing speakers, attending weekly all-school liturgies, and retreats)

Maintain adequate, accurate, and legally administered student records and transcripts

Plan and Monitor School Finances

Lead the School Council in preparing an annual school budget

Oversee budget compliance throughout the fiscal year.

Approve requests for purchases by the faculty and staff.

Oversee the collection of tuition accounts, all accounts receivables and payable

Share financial information with the school’s accountant to see the school’s obligations are paid on time.

Lead Marketing & Development

Serve as community liaison as an active and visible leader of the community-at-large. Develop and maintain a good public relations program using every opportunity to educate the public about Catholic classical education and to promote the school in area churches and all community organizations.

Lead the school in the on-going process of strategic planning

Maintain regular communication with the constituencies of the school through newsletters, direct mail, weekly bulletin, and website.

Oversee the planning of long and short-term fundraising endeavors.

Foster good relationships with all churches in the community.

Oversee and develop a strategy to address the annual fund need

Build relationships with donors and prospective donors.

Spiritual & Sacramental Preparation

Develop an effective Faith Formation Program for the school at each grade level, including preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation for each Catholic student.

Work with parents and the pastor to arrange for reception of those Sacraments within St. Peter’s Parish and respective notifications.

Establish and maintain a high quality holistic Catholic spiritual life and identity within the school community, integrating parents and extended family through participation in the spiritual and liturgical life and family faith instruction assistance.

Ecumenical & Inter-Cultural Inclusion

Create and foster a welcoming environment for students and families of all faith backgrounds. Foster inter-cultural inclusion within the Catholic identity and spirit of the school.

Sponsor inter-cultural learning and openness preparing children for a life and vocation(s) within multicultural society.

Competencies

Entrepreneurial Spirit : Demonstrates innovative thinking and initiative in shaping the school’s mission and vision and implementing creative solutions for growth and sustainability.

Culture Builder : Fosters a welcoming, inclusive, and values-driven environment that promotes collaboration, respect, and a sense of belonging among students, faculty, and families.

Stewardship : Manages resources responsibly, ethically, and transparently to ensure the long-term success and viability of the school, while prioritizing maximum value of school resources.

Leadership : Inspires and empowers others through visionary guidance, integrity, and servant leadership, fostering a culture of excellence, growth, and service.

Communication : Effectively communicates with clarity, empathy, and active listening, fostering open dialogue and partnerships within the school community and beyond.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications :

Faith

Practicing Catholic in good standing with a commitment to ongoing formation in catechetical and spiritual leadership development. (Required)

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Required)

Advanced degree (Required with preference in education, leadership, or administration)

18 credit hours in educational administration and supervision courses or a valid, appropriate state certificate for a principal.

Experience

Minimum 3 years of teaching experience preferably in elementary and / or early childhood education.

Minimum 5 years of Administration / Leadership experience preferably in a Catholic institution and / or a classical school.

License and Credentials

Reliable transportation

Valid driver license

Valid vehicle insurance

Minimum Knowledge and Skills :

Theoretical and experiential knowledge and understanding of Catholic classical education.

Leads the school and inspires students, faculty, and the larger school community to fulfill the St. Peter’s school mission.

Completes and submits all official forms required by the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Office, TCCBED, and other public agencies.

Develops faculty and student / parent handbooks in accordance with archdiocesan guidelines.

Participates in professional development, including Archdiocesan principal meetings and in-services.

Deep understanding of and commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Excellent communication and relationship building skills (verbal, written, social).

Consistent maturity, mental and emotional rigor and professional demeanor.

Provides for an orderly and calm school environment that promotes family values, joy and student self-discipline and contentment.

Establishes and implements age-appropriate technology goals for the school.

Knowledge of the content and the methods of Catholic religious education and faith formation.

Knowledge of effective teacher evaluation and student assessment methods and tools.

Good critical thinking and skill in handling multiple tasks simultaneously, problem-solving and manage conflicts effectively.

Detail oriented, independent, organized, and self-motivated.

Travel Requirements :

Local and some overnight

Physical Requirements :

Occasionally (Up to 1 / 3 of the time) : Life up to 15 lbs., Running, Reach above shoulder height, Reach below shoulder height, Driving, Stooping, Pushing, Bending waist (forward or sideways), Balancing, Squatting, Climbing, Pulling, Crawling.

Frequently : Sitting, Walking, Standing, Repetitive motions

Constantly (2 / 3 or more of the time) : Talking, Hearing

Application Requirements : PLEASE INCLUDE A COVER LETTER WITH YOUR RESUME & APPLICATION.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, or working conditions associated with the job.

While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise as needed.

The Archdiocese of San Antonio is an Equal Opportunity Employer.