Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Laguna Niguel, California
Posted: 29-Oct-24
Location: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Preferred Education:
Saint John’s High School
Principal Position Description
OUR MISSION
A Saint John’s Catholic education is rooted in the commitment of the Xaverian Brothers to bring Christ to life in young men. Our students develop a love of learning through a college preparatory academic and co-curricular program embracing both tradition and innovation. Saint John's fosters the formation of the whole person: spiritual, social, physical, intellectual, creative, and aesthetic.
We call our community to live out the Xaverian values of zeal, humility, simplicity, trust, and compassion. Saint John’s creates an atmosphere of interdependence, respect, inclusion, and personal responsibility in a community where we mutually help, encourage, and edify each other to develop relationships that transcend time. We aim to send forth young men who will use their God-given talents to transform their community, their nation, and their world.
In the tradition of its Xaverian founders, Saint John's High School is committed to providing opportunities for families in need, students from a diversity of backgrounds, and for the poor and marginalized.
ABOUT SAINT JOHN’S HIGH SCHOOL
Saint John's High School, located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, is a Catholic, Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School for boys in grades 7-12. Enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year is 900 students, representing more than 70 cities/towns within Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Known for its commitment to forming well-rounded young men, Saint John's offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum alongside a strong emphasis on spiritual and moral development, inspired by the values of humility, trust, simplicity, compassion, and zeal. The school provides a transformative experience by nurturing students' spiritual, intellectual, physical, and creative growth. Saint John's has a vibrant campus life that includes 17 athletic teams, over 50 extracurricular activities, and numerous opportunities for community service, encouraging students to embrace their faith while preparing them for success in competitive colleges and universities?.
A hallmark of Saint John's is its deep-rooted sense of community and commitment to diversity. The school represents 35% students of color and approximately 40% of the student body receives financial assistance. Saint John’s High School fosters an inclusive environment where boys from different backgrounds thrive. More than 97% of graduates annually matriculate into four-year colleges and universities. Central to the Saint John’s experience is the "brotherhood" that bonds students, forming supportive and enduring relationships with peers, faculty, and mentors. This community spirit, combined with academic excellence and a focus on leadership, shapes young men who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world. The school’s modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art performing arts center and a robust engineering program, ensure that students have the resources to explore their passions and realize their full potential?.
ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL POSITION
Reporting to the Head of School, the Principal is the Chief Academic Officer and will provide dynamic, executive leadership in directing the daily operations of the school, inclusive of significant program and logistical coordination commonly found in high schools. The principal supervises all assistant principals, department chairs, faculty, staff, program directors, and coaches who work within the school's academic and co-curricular programs. A practicing Catholic, the principal will help foster a community of trust, respect, and mutual concern rooted in our Xaverian mission and charism. Paramount to the role will be one’s ability to quickly understand, embrace, and strengthen the culture of Saint John’s High School.
The Principal coordinates and executes the school’s educational programs, policies, and school accreditation processes.
Specific duties include:
- Oversee curriculum development and assessment, inclusive of stronger alignment between the middle school and high school, to strengthen student outcomes.
- Foster faculty/staff unity among the academic divisions and identify and implement a more efficient use of academic resources.
- Establish consistent, high academic standards across all grade levels; Analyze student performance data to inform strategies aimed at improving academic outcomes.
- Through hiring practices, supportive professional development, and transparent evaluation procedures, ensure a talented, mission-oriented faculty is in place to support student needs.
- In collaboration with the school’s leadership team, assist in efforts to increase enrollment and improve student retention rates.
- Develop, maintain, and enforce policies as described in the faculty handbook, inclusive of maintaining proper student discipline procedures.
- Direct and collaborate with staff to ensure the co-curricular needs of students are met, including emotional/social, extracurricular interests, and college and career readiness.
ATTRIBUTES OF THE NEXT PRINCIPAL
The ideal candidate will exemplify strong, visible leadership, and be capable of making difficult decisions while driving both academic and community growth. He/she must foster an inclusive environment built on trust, compassion, and humility, ensuring approachability and accountability. A deep alignment with the school’s mission, particularly its commitment to the Xaverian tradition, is paramount. The candidate must also be a skilled communicator, adept at working with diverse stakeholders while demonstrating the diplomacy required to balance varied interests within the school community. Strong interpersonal skills are paramount.
Among other strengths and experience the school seeks are:
- Prior teaching experience that has fostered a deep understanding of teacher and student perspectives.
- Experience in the creation and implementation of successful and relevant professional development.
- A deep understanding of teacher observation, supervision, evaluation, and capacity building.
- Strong academic credentials along with deep knowledge of secondary schools and a track record of implementing best practices across all aspects of the student experience.
- Strong awareness of educational technology competencies inclusive of emerging trends in technology integration, AI, etc. in the classroom.
- Attention to detail, excellent organizational and sound financial management skills, and a strong work ethic.
- An advanced degree in a relevant discipline, along with three years of leadership experience in an academic setting is required.
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY SUMMARY
The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, an individual committed to Catholic education. She/He will be a proven and effective communicator who firmly understands the diplomacy required to work with a varied constituent group. A talented academic leader, the successful candidate must strengthen teacher pedagogy, curriculum alignment, and improve educational outcomes and rigor while supporting a student body with diverse learning needs.
This is a full-time 12-month position. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
All applications will remain confidential through first-round interviews. Review of applications begins immediately and will conclude on Friday, November 29, 2024.
The start-date for the position is July 1, 2025 - or earlier subject to the candidate’s availability.
Interested candidates are to submit, electronically, the following materials:
- Cover letter and Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Educational philosophy
- List of 4 references
- Please note that references will only be contacted once an applicant has reached finalist standing to preserve applicant confidentiality.
Materials are to be addressed to the “Saint John’s HS Principal Search Committee” and sent electronically, as one PDF file, to:
Patrick Slattery, Ed.D
Executive Director
Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools
pjslattery@xbss.org
443-939-0124
If you do not receive an email to verify the submission within 24 hours, please call Patrick Slattery directly.