Description

THE POSITION: The school Principal is a disciple on mission to spread the Good News, who meets the requirements to administer the overall education program in a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Denver, and disciple others within the educational community of the Catholic school to create an "apostolic-friendly" environment that will encourage creative missionary initiative in the school.

As the leader of the school, the principal plays a critical role in safeguarding and promoting the aim of the school, which is to lead students to encounter and grow as students of Jesus Christ, directing the school's activity, learning, teaching, culture, and formation towards that aim.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The principal is responsible for directing all work of the school to the direction of the Holy Spirit, providing opportunities to students for Catholic growth, and ministering to students and staff. The principal is responsible for administering the school’s education program, supervising teaching, administrative, and support staff, implementing curriculum guidelines and standards, and supervising and directing all other programs and services provided at or by the school. The principal is expected to abide by the policies and procedures of the local school, the Archdiocese of Denver, and the Office of Catholic Schools. The principal interacts and relates to students, parents, parish and school communities, the Board of directors/trustees, and the general public.

MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD SCHOOL is a parochial Catholic school of the Archdiocese of Denver serving the surrounding communities in Denver. The faculty and staff of Most Precious Blood Catholic School strive to foster the development of a personal journey of faith that leads to the commitment to love and trust in God. We challenge students to make sound judgments based on Gospel Values. Our school is guided by prayer and encourages a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Catholic School Principal serves as the school’s spiritual and educational leader and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in implementing a broad array of programs and functions while supporting the mission and objectives of Most Precious Blood Parish and the Archdiocese of Denver. The principal collaborates with the pastor and the administrative team in school facilities, marketing, community relations, and events decisions. In this role, the Principal is directly responsible to Father Daniel Ciucci, pastor of Most Precious Blood and the Archdiocese of Denver’s Superintendent.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PRINCIPAL AT MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD CATHOLIC SCHOOL

• Action Follows Being

Is a faithful Catholic with a stable parish home and has received all of the applicable sacraments

Understands him/herself as a beloved son or daughter of God.

•  Spiritual Leadership

Sets forth the Catholic authentic mission of the school to faculty, staff, students, parents and community members.

Creates an environment that reflects Catholic identity through which the presence of Christ is encountered.

Recognizes, encourages, and supports parents' primary right and responsibility to foster religious and Godly values in their children.

Witnesses to staff, students, and parents a commitment to the gospel and the Catholic Faith by building a faith community.

Supports the pastor as the spiritual father of the school and parish, maintaining unity with the parish.

• Instructional Leadership

Provides leadership in the development of educational programs.

Implements a curriculum providing for diverse abilities, needs, and interests of students and provides reasonable accommodations as required.

Utilizes data to promote innovation, improve instructional learning and performance, and set goals for future achievement.

Monitors and analyzes educational programs, services, and instructional materials to determine their effectiveness in helping students meet identified learning objectives.

•  Personnel Selection, Development, and Management

Hires and maintains a qualified and effective faculty and staff who support Catholic values and can articulate the reasonability of the faith.

Manages the faculty and staff effectively.

Provides for supervision and evaluation of faculty and staff.

Plans professional development days for teachers, drawing their efforts closer to the Church's educational mission.

Interacts with employees in a professional and Christian manner–ever-increasing the communal nature of Catholic education.

• Student Development
  • Maintains school climate, fostering spiritual, academic, social, physical, and emotional development.
  •  Provides a student-centered program in which parents are involved and teachers are engaged. Encourages students to grow in virtue, practice self-discipline, and develop a sense of fairness and accountability.
• General Administration and Organization
  • Provides evidence that Archdiocesan philosophy, policies, and educational goals are implemented and supported in the school’s curriculum, activities, and materials.
  •  Ensures the preparation and submission of all necessary reports to the state and Office of Catholic Schools in a timely manner and cooperates with the Archdiocesan & curial offices.
  • Maintains an organizational design for the school, promoting communication, cooperation, and faith sharing.
  • Encourages high student and staff performance expectations and a commitment to continuous improvement.
  • Follows a systematic process for making decisions.
  • Delegates responsibilities to the assistant principal and other staff.
  • Maintains complete, accurate, and current files.
  • Oversees the management of the school's physical facilities, ensuring the plant is clean, secure, and safe.
  • Creates a “pitch in” culture whereby teachers and staff readily volunteer to help meet a need or solve a problem.

Community Relations

• • Communicates philosophy, goals, and school policies so that parents understand the school's mission and programs.
  • Maintains effective communication channels with parents, listening and responding promptly to questions and concerns.
  • Maintains effective communication with the pastor, Director of Mission Operations, and parish associated with the school.
  •  Maintains effective communication and cooperates with the Home & School Association. Ensures parents are satisfied with transparency and frequency of communication whenever possible.
  • Cooperates with parish community (for parish, inter-parish, and regional schools).
  • Maintains effective public relations with the civic community.
  • Utilizes technology to communicate the school’s mission and programs and to enhance opportunities for meaningful exchange.

Financial and Development Leadership:

• • Supervises the operation of the school plant in accordance with federal and state law, fire regulations, and local building codes.
  • Ensures a constant renewal of safety practices in the school.
  • Shows adeptness in monitoring the school budget and forecasting.
  • Shows adeptness in monitoring school financial transactions.
  • Implements enrollment management strategies in an effort to support student recruitment and retention.
  • Encourages and supports development initiatives in support of the long-range financial stability of the school.
• Progression towards Renewal in Catholic Education & Identity

Ensures ready and joyful compliance with Archdiocesan curriculum renewal

Enables opportunities like retreats, field trips, and the like to bolster learning

Promotes the belief that personal progress and learning are concomitant with spiritual growth

In addition, the principal is expected to adhere to the minimum requirements for Catechist certification as set forth by the Archdiocese of Denver. Our 2024-25 Community Beliefs School Leaders statement is available for review.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: The following are considered minimum requirements for persons seeking employment as a principal in the Archdiocese of Denver. A principal hired for an archdiocesan Catholic school shall:

• Must be a fully initiated Catholic in the communion of the Catholic Church and intentionally living out the five precepts of the Church (CCC 2041-2043)

• Assent to the Church's teachings on all matters, with particular care for those concerning the nature of the human person, sexual ethics, and sexual morality

• Refrain from the public promotion or approval of, or the living out of, any conduct or lifestyle that would reflect discredit or disgrace on, or cause scandal in relationship to, the Archdiocese of Denver, or considered to be in contradiction with Catholic doctrine or morals

• Have a strong commitment to the importance of the Catholic school ministry to the mission of the Church

• Possess graduate level academic credentials and/or professional background in education, leadership, or related field

• Have previous teaching experience; previous administrative experience is preferred

• Be committed to the Archdiocese of Denver's vision and philosophy for Catholic education

• Be committed to a Catholic educational program rooted in the liberal arts, the foundations of Western civilization, an understanding of history that highlights the essential contributions of Christianity to the development of Western culture, and literature that enables young men and women to grapple with the big questions of life in pursuit of what is true, good, and beautiful

• Possess a strong, positive, can-do attitude, with a strong bias for action based on realistic, specific, and attainable goals

• Demonstrate good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality

• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of digital platforms, software programs, and tools as part of the online curriculum being provided to families

• Compliance with Safe Environment requirements

Ideal candidates:

• Bring awareness and understanding of adolescent development and the challenges adolescents and young adults face in the secular and morally relativist world of today
• Are supportive and willing to drive ongoing school renewal through the strengthening of authentic Catholic education
• Are collaborative leaders who evaluate information before making a decision/taking action
• Exude trust and respect among students, faculty, parents, and Boards
• Possess a strong, positive, can-do attitude with a strong bias for action, based on realistic, specific, and attainable goals

In addition, the principal is expected to adhere to the minimum requirements for Catechist certification as set forth by the Archdiocese of Denver. Our 2024-25 Community Beliefs School Leaders statement is available for review. All principal applicants must be screened and approved by the Office of Catholic Schools prior to local interviews with Search committees.

Benefits offered as part of an overall compensation package include:

• Comprehensive and generous medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• Paid personal (2) and sick (10) leave per academic year
• Pension plan
• Employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability
• Voluntary life insurance