What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal, Assumption Catholic School, Fairfield position at Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport?
Assumption Catholic School, Fairfield
History
Our Lady of the Assumption parish began in 1921 as a mission from St. Thomas Aquinas parish in downtown Fairfield. Rev. William J. Blake of St. Thomas Aquinas initiated the mission to the Stratfield section of Fairfield and was the first to celebrate Mass there in August of 1921. On January 31, 1922 the mission was formally organized and in 1923 Rev. John A. Sullivan became the first resident pastor. The parish and facilities continued to grow and the beautiful Norman Gothic style church that is the center of worship today was dedicated on February 4, 1940.
Bridgeport and Fairfield were thriving communities during Word War II as the region earned the nickname the “Arsenal of Democracy.” After the war, the Order of Saint Dominic sent three nuns to lead the religious education of the children of Assumption in 1948. Fairfield continued to grow as a bedroom community and a booming suburb of New York City into the 1950’s. The parish hall was completed in 1951 to host events and serve as the first schoolhouse for the original 80 students of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School. The hall was later refurbished and continues to host parish events as well as school performances and physical education classes.
In September of 1955 the school building was opened. The 16 room school welcomed 250 students in grades 1-3. The class of 1961 were the first graduates of Our Lady of the Assumption School. The Dominican Sisters of Newburgh continued to supply the teachers and principals that served the students of Assumption. Sister Helen Michael was the first principal of the school. Sister Mary Rita served as principal for a short time in 1969 and returned to the helm in 1979 and served as principal for 17 years. Former president of Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, Father Bill Sangiovani was the first male teacher at Assumption when he taught social studies from 1963 to 1965.
In 2010, Assumption was merged with Holy Family School and became known as Our Lady of the Assumption/Holy Family Catholic School and the Bulldogs became the Eagles.
Today
Our Lady of the Assumption parish began in 1921 as a mission from St. Thomas Aquinas parish in downtown Fairfield. Rev. William J. Blake of St. Thomas Aquinas initiated the mission to the Stratfield section of Fairfield and was the first to celebrate Mass there in August of 1921. On January 31, 1922 the mission was formally organized and in 1923 Rev. John A. Sullivan became the first resident pastor. The parish and facilities continued to grow and the beautiful Norman Gothic style church that is the center of worship today was dedicated on February 4, 1940.
Bridgeport and Fairfield were thriving communities during Word War II as the region earned the nickname the “Arsenal of Democracy.” After the war, the Order of Saint Dominic sent three nuns to lead the religious education of the children of Assumption in 1948. Fairfield continued to grow as a bedroom community and a booming suburb of New York City into the 1950’s. The parish hall was completed in 1951 to host events and serve as the first schoolhouse for the original 80 students of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School. The hall was later refurbished and continues to host parish events as well as school performances and physical education classes.
In September of 1955 the school building was opened. The 16 room school welcomed 250 students in grades 1-3. The class of 1961 were the first graduates of Our Lady of the Assumption School. The Dominican Sisters of Newburgh continued to supply the teachers and principals that served the students of Assumption. Sister Helen Michael was the first principal of the school. Sister Mary Rita served as principal for a short time in 1969 and returned to the helm in 1979 and served as principal for 17 years. Former president of Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, Father Bill Sangiovani was the first male teacher at Assumption when he taught social studies from 1963 to 1965.
In 2010, Assumption was merged with Holy Family School and became known as Our Lady of the Assumption/Holy Family Catholic School and the Bulldogs became the Eagles.
Job Description
The Assumption Catholic School Principal is the leader of the school and is appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, reports to the Superintendent of Schools and works collaboratively with the Pastor, School Advisory Board (SAB), and Parent Council. The highest priority of the Principal is the building of a Christian community of faith that provides for the spiritual, moral, educational, intellectual, aesthetical, emotional, social, and physical needs of the students in the school.
Overview
Given the desire for the new Principal to be in place well before the start of the new 2026 academic year, candidates are encouraged to submit their materials immediately. The position will remain open until filled.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically as separate documents (preferably as PDFs) the following materials:
Formal cover letter expressing interest in the position and aligning your skills and experiences with the leadership needs of Assumption Catholic School, as stipulated above;
Current resume with all appropriate dates;
Brief statement of educational or leadership philosophy and practice;
List of at least five references with name, title, phone number and email address of each (References will not be contacted until a serious mutual interest is established, and not without the candidate’s permission).
All materials should be addressed to Stacie Stueber, Superintendent of Schools, and emailed to Sharon Luciano, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at Sharon.Luciano@diobpt.org.
History
Our Lady of the Assumption parish began in 1921 as a mission from St. Thomas Aquinas parish in downtown Fairfield. Rev. William J. Blake of St. Thomas Aquinas initiated the mission to the Stratfield section of Fairfield and was the first to celebrate Mass there in August of 1921. On January 31, 1922 the mission was formally organized and in 1923 Rev. John A. Sullivan became the first resident pastor. The parish and facilities continued to grow and the beautiful Norman Gothic style church that is the center of worship today was dedicated on February 4, 1940.
Bridgeport and Fairfield were thriving communities during Word War II as the region earned the nickname the “Arsenal of Democracy.” After the war, the Order of Saint Dominic sent three nuns to lead the religious education of the children of Assumption in 1948. Fairfield continued to grow as a bedroom community and a booming suburb of New York City into the 1950’s. The parish hall was completed in 1951 to host events and serve as the first schoolhouse for the original 80 students of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School. The hall was later refurbished and continues to host parish events as well as school performances and physical education classes.
In September of 1955 the school building was opened. The 16 room school welcomed 250 students in grades 1-3. The class of 1961 were the first graduates of Our Lady of the Assumption School. The Dominican Sisters of Newburgh continued to supply the teachers and principals that served the students of Assumption. Sister Helen Michael was the first principal of the school. Sister Mary Rita served as principal for a short time in 1969 and returned to the helm in 1979 and served as principal for 17 years. Former president of Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, Father Bill Sangiovani was the first male teacher at Assumption when he taught social studies from 1963 to 1965.
In 2010, Assumption was merged with Holy Family School and became known as Our Lady of the Assumption/Holy Family Catholic School and the Bulldogs became the Eagles.
Today
Our Lady of the Assumption parish began in 1921 as a mission from St. Thomas Aquinas parish in downtown Fairfield. Rev. William J. Blake of St. Thomas Aquinas initiated the mission to the Stratfield section of Fairfield and was the first to celebrate Mass there in August of 1921. On January 31, 1922 the mission was formally organized and in 1923 Rev. John A. Sullivan became the first resident pastor. The parish and facilities continued to grow and the beautiful Norman Gothic style church that is the center of worship today was dedicated on February 4, 1940.
Bridgeport and Fairfield were thriving communities during Word War II as the region earned the nickname the “Arsenal of Democracy.” After the war, the Order of Saint Dominic sent three nuns to lead the religious education of the children of Assumption in 1948. Fairfield continued to grow as a bedroom community and a booming suburb of New York City into the 1950’s. The parish hall was completed in 1951 to host events and serve as the first schoolhouse for the original 80 students of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School. The hall was later refurbished and continues to host parish events as well as school performances and physical education classes.
In September of 1955 the school building was opened. The 16 room school welcomed 250 students in grades 1-3. The class of 1961 were the first graduates of Our Lady of the Assumption School. The Dominican Sisters of Newburgh continued to supply the teachers and principals that served the students of Assumption. Sister Helen Michael was the first principal of the school. Sister Mary Rita served as principal for a short time in 1969 and returned to the helm in 1979 and served as principal for 17 years. Former president of Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, Father Bill Sangiovani was the first male teacher at Assumption when he taught social studies from 1963 to 1965.
In 2010, Assumption was merged with Holy Family School and became known as Our Lady of the Assumption/Holy Family Catholic School and the Bulldogs became the Eagles.
Job Description
The Assumption Catholic School Principal is the leader of the school and is appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, reports to the Superintendent of Schools and works collaboratively with the Pastor, School Advisory Board (SAB), and Parent Council. The highest priority of the Principal is the building of a Christian community of faith that provides for the spiritual, moral, educational, intellectual, aesthetical, emotional, social, and physical needs of the students in the school.
Overview
- The Principal’s goal is to provide effective leadership in fulfilling and communicating the mission of the school to all constituents.
- The Principal is the overall leader and facilitator of the community of faith and bears responsibility for the integrity and practice of the spiritual life of the school.
- The Principal is responsible for maintaining and developing academic excellence, as well as providing ample programs to meet the faith formation and co-curricular and extra-curricular needs of the students.
- The Principal, assisted by the Business Manager and Bookkeeper, has the general charge and control of personnel and budget, and its business affairs.
- The Principal assisted by the SAB, Parent Council, and the Coordinators of Advancement and Enrollment (if applicable), has the general charge of advancement programs; and is ultimately responsible for enrollment and fundraising.
- The Principal is evaluated by the Office of the Superintendent of Schools with input from key school constituents including the chair of the SAB, Parent Council, and the faculty and staff.
- To ensure the Catholic Identity of the school.
- To act as the educational leader of the school, responsible for its day-to-day operation; to direct the activities of the school’s instructional and non-instructional staff in the performance of their duties.
- To function as the chief articulator of the school’s programs, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and other information necessary to ensure that all constituencies are fully informed consistent with their individual roles.
- To observe, supervise, and help evaluate the faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum; to supervise the teaching process, and to review and evaluate the academic programs.
- To provide an orderly, controlled environment in which learning can take place and where a school climate is supportive and reflects our Catholic Identity.
- To be aware of the educational, physical, social, and psychological needs of the members of our school community and to develop plans for meeting these needs.
- To make recommendations to the Superintendent regarding the hiring, retention, and assignment of faculty.
- To conduct regular meetings with faculty which will deal both with routine school matters and with the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest.
- To oversee the coordination of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activity programs of the school.
- To provide for the academic guidance of students; to maintain complete academic records on all students; to oversee the grading and the reporting of standards and methods used by teachers in measuring student achievement.
- To be a visible presence in all areas of the school.
- To prepare a master school class schedule and to assign teachers and students to classes and other obligations.
- To serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school procedures.
- To perform other duties as assigned.
- Working knowledge of and a strong commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church.
- Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church.
- Excellent communications skills including written, verbal, public speaking and presentation skills.
- Excellent human relations and interpersonal skills; must be a self-starter and be well-organized; must be a team player.
- Be available for evening/weekend meetings/events as necessary.
- Be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Proficiency in the use of computer technology including Microsoft Office and related educational technology.
- Previous Catholic School experience.
- Masters Degree.
- Valid Administrator’s Certification for the state of Connecticut or another state.
Given the desire for the new Principal to be in place well before the start of the new 2026 academic year, candidates are encouraged to submit their materials immediately. The position will remain open until filled.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically as separate documents (preferably as PDFs) the following materials:
Formal cover letter expressing interest in the position and aligning your skills and experiences with the leadership needs of Assumption Catholic School, as stipulated above;
Current resume with all appropriate dates;
Brief statement of educational or leadership philosophy and practice;
List of at least five references with name, title, phone number and email address of each (References will not be contacted until a serious mutual interest is established, and not without the candidate’s permission).
All materials should be addressed to Stacie Stueber, Superintendent of Schools, and emailed to Sharon Luciano, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at Sharon.Luciano@diobpt.org.