Principal (Upper School 2026-27)

St Thomas Aquinas - Upper School Principal

Established in September 1947, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School is now the largest Catholic PreK-8 school not only in the Catholic Diocese of Dallas but also in the state of Texas. The school is located in the Wilshire Heights neighborhood of East Dallas and serves primarily a large parish population spanning generations of Lakewood and Old East Dallas residents. the School serves approximately 550 families and maintains an enrollment of nearly 900 students.

STA’s Upper School and Lower School campuses are located seven blocks from each other, and together they share ten-plus acres. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School has a highly effective President/Principal model.

The upper school principal is the educational leader of the school and directly responsible for the daily operation of the upper school. The upper school principal will serve in a close working relationship with the pastor, president, the faculty, staff, and students, as well as parents and the Dallas community to bring our mission of educating the hearts, minds, and spirits of future servant leaders to life.

The upper school principal is charged with the implementation of the philosophy, mission, objectives, and the overall management of the school. The upper school principal is responsible for the professional effectiveness of the staff, the educational progress of the students, as well as the relationship within the entire school community.

The upper school principal will be an inspiring, confident leader with strong communication skills, the ability to build trust, collaborate, and think critically while creating a joy filled culture rooted in our Catholic faith.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Position

• Supports and upholds the philosophy of Catholic education and the mission of the school
• Acts as a witness to the Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Develops a school climate reflecting Catholic identity
• Supports and adheres to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Code of Conduct, and policies and procedures of the Diocese
• Maintains confidentiality regarding school matters
• Communicates effectively with students, parents, and other professionals
• Identifies and effects needed change for school improvement
• Ensures the implementation of a comprehensive curriculum through the use of a variety of pedagogical strategies
• Supervises instruction and evaluates the overall effectiveness of the academic program
• Ensures that the religious instruction of students meets the guidelines set forth by the Diocese
• Promotes Catholic identity within the school through liturgical celebrations, faith development, integration of Gospel values, and the practice of Christian service
• Oversees ongoing orientation and staff development in both educational and faith development of faculty and staff
• Maintains the accreditation of the school according to TCCED standards
• Oversees the certification of religion teachers according to diocesan policy
• Responsible for the annual school budget and supervises all expenditures
• Oversees development goals and activities and seeks resources and support beyond the school
• Works effectively with the board to establish goals for school effectiveness
• Hires, supervises, evaluates, and terminates all faculty and staff according to diocesan guidelines
• Fosters collaboration between parish(es), pastor(s), and the school
• Maintains current and accurate records according to diocesan and school policy
• Demonstrates professionalism in conduct, demeanor, and work habits
• Maintains a work schedule that maximizes availability to the school, students and staff
• Provides for an orderly school environment and promotes student self-discipline
• Develops faculty and student/parent handbooks in accordance with diocesan guidelines
• Completes and submits all official forms required by the Diocesan Catholic Schools Office, Texas Catholic Conference Education Department, and other public agencies
• Implements and reviews long-range strategic planning
• Promotes healthy staff morale and professionalism
• Participates in professional development, including diocesan principal meetings and in-services
• Establishes and implements technology goals for the school
• Other duties as assigned
• Abide by all policies as outlined in the Catholic Schools Office Handbook of Policies and Procedures for Elementary and Secondary Schools

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the basic teachings of the Catholic Church
• Knowledge of instructional methods/strategies and curriculum differentiation
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development, learning, and behavior
• Knowledge of the content and the methods of religious education
• Knowledge of effective assessment methods
• Able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form
• Able to work well with others in the school community
• Able to work independently and self-motivate
• Skill in handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Skill in organizing and relating information in an understandable format
• Skill in job appropriate technology
• Skill in critical thinking and planning
• Skill in managing conflicts effectively
• Skill in organizational management and delegation of responsibilities
• Skill in using group process skills effectively with various school communities

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree and 18 credit hours in educational administration and supervision courses* or a valid state certificate administrator certificate
• 10 years of teaching experience in a Catholic school (preferred)
• 5 years of administrative experience in a Catholic school (preferred)

Special Requirements:

• The principal/head of school must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with a commitment to ongoing formation in catechetical and spiritual leadership development as defined by and monitored by the local ordinary and superintendent.
• Required to work some nights and weekends
• Required to manage high to moderate levels of stress
• Required to work a full school day
• Required to work in standard school and office conditions

This position requires a Pre-Employment Declaration. Download the form now to attach to your application.

Pre Employment Affidavit

Physical Requirements Specific to the Job:

N/A

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position. The duties and responsibilities of the position may be changed at the sole discretion of the employer.

Employer reserves the right to modify this job description without notice to the employee. This job description is not a contract and does not alter the employee’s at-will employment status.

Contact Information

• Ginger Farrell, Director of Human Resources
• St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
• Email: gfarrell@stadallas.org