Principal at Catholic Academy of Bridgeport

Overview

The Board of the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport is seeking a transformational principal to lead, form, advance and nurture one of our four campuses in Bridgeport, CT. Our Catholic school proudly serves over 800 students in grades PreK-8 across four campuses in the city of Bridgeport. The principal is the educational and spiritual leader of the school community. The highest priority of the principal is to build a Catholic community of faith inspired by Gospel values and to provide a superior academic program committed to individualized instruction. Each child is supported to achieve academically, develop to their full potential, and grow in faith.

The Academy provides a holistic vision of a strong faith life, academic rigor, and service to the local community. The Academy is independent, with its own governing board responsible for its financial and programmatic success.

The Catholic Academy of Bridgeport is blessed with committed staff who enable their students to make leaps of achievement in all subject areas, and which sees 100% of its students go on to attend and graduate from the best Catholic and non-Catholic private high schools in Fairfield County. There is a strong commitment to blended learning, thoughtful integration of technology, and differentiated instruction.

The school is financially stable, continually seeks to grow enrollment, engage working parents more in the life of the school, and celebrate the success of students who move on to high school and college. A robust financial aid program supports 94% of the students, the majority of whose families live below the poverty level.

REPORTS TO: Deputy Executive Director, Executive Director and Board of Directors, Catholic Academy of Bridgeport

Responsibilities

Qualifications of the ideal candidate:

• Leads as a mission-driven, Roman Catholic who articulates a clear vision for the school based on the values and philosophy of Catholic education.
• Collaborates with administrators, clergy and parishes to evangelize and form a faith community of faculty, staff, students and parents, based on the explicit and intentional integration of the teachings of the Church and Gospel values where students are nurtured, thrive and develop to their full potential.
• Is dedicated to advancing all Academy initiatives, including the Success Pay Program for teacher recruitment, retention, and excellence.
• Provides and assures that the academic program is rigorous, well-articulated and integrates best practices of individualized instruction. Commits to the use of technology and blended learning to enhance a variety of teaching/learning styles.
• Emphasizes the importance of transparent communication and a style of leadership which is consultative, engaging and respectful of diverse opinions and attitudes.
• Provides for the hiring of teachers and staff and assists them with regular supervision, professional training and development.
• Works collaboratively with the other three principals, their faculties, and the Deputy Executive Director to assist in the functioning as one school with a common mission and purpose.
• Works assiduously to grow and stabilize enrollment through an active program of recruitment and retention.
• Understands the importance of financial stability by providing a balanced budget in collaboration with the Business Manager and the Board of Directors and is willing to assist in development efforts to increase donations to the Academy through presence at fund- and friend-raising events.
• Ensures that the school is a safe environment, characterized by loving attitudes towards each other and the extended community.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Practicing Roman Catholic dedicated to an integration of faith, social justice and Gospel values
• At least five (5) years of administration or teaching
• Demonstrated success and proven track record of increased student achievement and attention to standardized test results
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work collaboratively with various constituents including other campus principals, teachers, the Office of the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Directors
• Demonstrated excellence in communication (both oral and written), managerial and organizational skills
• Proficiency in the use of technology in all aspects of school life
• Conversational Spanish or Portuguese strongly preferred, but not required
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree from an accredited institution with course work in Educational Administration
• 5 years of successful school leadership
• State certified Elementary Teacher in CT or another state
• State certified Administrator in CT or another state, or in progress
• Demonstrated experience in non-public, Catholic or independent school education
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience using academic principles and best practices, understanding of current national standards and trends and academic opportunities
• An understanding of the mission of the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport
• An understanding of and appreciation for the nature and value of a Catholic school education.
  
  

Application Process

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to

Angela Pohlen

Executive Director

apohlen@catholicacademybridgeport.org