High School Principal

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

The principal, a person in good canonical standing with the Roman Catholic Church, is a person of faith who functions as spiritual leader and instructional leader in close collaboration with the chaplain in accordance with the diocesan and school mission statements and philosophy.

The Principal assists the Church and the school in the mission of evangelizing. The Principal contributes to fostering the Catholic School culture by serving as a witness to students and to the community. By bearing witness to Christ, His Church and the teachings of our Catholic faith, the Principal cooperates with Christ in the academic, spiritual, and social education of our high school students. The Principal leads, instructs, and utilizes effective pedagogy; obtains necessary academic certificates; participates in continual professional development; maintains detailed and accurate records as required by the school; and imparts a Catholic worldview through the curriculum. In addition to academic preparation, record-keeping and accountability, the Principal as a member of the "house" system within Notre Dame Preparatory High School, serves as a mentor and campus minister to all students.

This position requires the ability to effectively communicate via phone and email; ensure that all duties are completed accurately and delivered with high quality and in a timely manner; flexibility, forward thinking and managing deadlines; willingness to seek the latest educational practices and implement; and rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals and a wide degree of creativity and latitude are expected.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

As a spiritual leader:

Functions as a religious leader working with the chaplain to continually uplift the school's mission and philosophy in accordance with the goals of Catholic education

Witnesses Gospel values and promotes Catholic moral teaching in the policies and life of the school

Demonstrates evidence of knowledge of the Catholic philosophy of education

Assists the chaplain in ensuring quality Catholic religious instruction of students

Encourages involvement with parish communities

Works towards enhancing the school's Catholic identity within the school and greater community

Empowers and motivates teachers in sustaining the faith community of the student body

Assists the chaplain in providing opportunities for religious experiences for staff, students, and the school community

Ensures that all faculty and staff are committed to the goals of Catholic education

Assists the chaplain in nurturing the faith development of faculty and staff through opportunities for spiritual growth

Supports the chaplain in his ministerial priesthood of teaching, divine worship and pastoral governance.

Supports and fosters consistent practices of Christian service

As an instructional leader:

Plans, evaluates, and adjusts the on-site instructional programs to adhere to the diocesan curriculum standards, Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA), North Central Association (NCA), and the students' needs

Promotes an effective teaching/learning environment which encourages the implementation of various teaching strategies that engage learners

Approves the master teaching schedule and any special assignments

Allocates instructional planning resources in alignment with financial resources to meet student needs

Monitors testing programs and communicates student data to parents and the school community

Collaborates with local public school districts regarding federal services, educational programs and allocations for teachers and students

Assumes responsibility for his/her own professional growth and development

As a school leader:

Administration

Follows established policies, practices and procedures of the Diocese of Phoenix

Sends completed diocesan forms and reports to Catholic Schools Office by due dates

Follows through on decisions

Identifies and effects needed change

Interprets and uses research to guide action plans

Recognizes and fosters leadership ability among staff

Teaching/Learning

Integrates Catholic principles throughout the curriculum in collaboration with the chaplain

Promotes an effective teaching/learning environment

Develops and implements a balanced curriculum providing for proper articulation

Creates an environment which encourages teachers to develop creative programs

Makes diocesan curriculum standard guides available

Communication

Initiates and/or facilitates open communication within the school community.

Interprets the school programs and policies for the school community

Maintains regular dialogue with the Diocesan Catholic Schools Office personnel and attends and actively participates in Diocesan Principal meetings

Establishes and publishes the local school calendar in accordance with state law and diocesan directives

Maintains articulation between feeder schools and establishes a cooperative and friendly relationship with the local Catholic and public high schools

Fosters school participation in the local civic community when appropriate

Schedules regular faculty meetings and establishes vehicles of communication with the faculty

Personnel

Hires, supervises, evaluates and develops competent faculty and staff in accordance with Diocesan, WCEA and NCA standards.

Works in collaboration with the chaplain to hire, supervise and evaluate a competent faculty in theology and campus ministry that are faithful to the Catholic Church teachings.

Establishes and maintains open communication with the faculty and staff

Maintains complete and accurate personnel records according to diocesan guidelines

Provides in-service and professional growth opportunities for faculty and staff that are aligned with continuous school improvement

Provides training and documentation of policies and procedures as directed by the diocese and the state

Facilitates faculty meetings on a regular basis

Encourages the creativity and uniqueness of each faculty and staff member

Develops a comprehensive faculty handbook

Students

Develop and implement a comprehensive parent/student handbook which reflects Gospel values

Provides for the safety, welfare and care of the students including a school-wide crisis plan

Oversees all school activities and after school programs

Ensures that the rights and needs of the individual student are respected as stated in the parent/student handbook

Ensures academic and health records are maintained according to Diocesan and AZ State Health Department regulations

Conduct conferences with individual students as necessary

Follows diocesan protocol in cases of suspected child abuse

School Advisory Board

Works cooperatively with the chaplain and school advisory board to communicate the school's mission

Develops meeting agenda with the board president

Updates the board on school operations, Catholic identity, new church documents, diocesan policies, current educational trends, issues, laws, financial status of the school, and other appropriate topics

Encourages participation in the Diocesan School Board In-Services

Parents/Guardians

Recognizes and respects that the parents are the primary educators of their children

Facilitates appropriate parent involvement in the school

Provides adequate training for parents/guardians who serve as volunteers

Ensures communication of student progress on a regular basis

Finance

Follows all diocesan financial policies and procedures

Prepares the annual school budget in conjunction with the school finance committee, the recommendation of the school advisory board, and approval of the superintendent

Monitors budget and reviews finances in a timely manner

Provides a system of accurate and timely collection and disbursement of school monies

Oversees tuition assistance allocations

Initiates, coordinates, and oversees fundraising activities as needed to supplement the budget

Professional Growth

Directs and provides for professional growth of the staff to ensure effective teaching methodologies

Provides orientation for teachers new to the school

Provides yearly faculty orientation to diocesan and school policies and procedures

Provides training on the "Safe Environment" and "Policy on Sexual Misconduct by Diocesan Personnel" & "Harassment Policy and Procedures" for all staff

Plans in-service sessions according to faculty needs

Marketing and Development

Promotes the positive image of the school by establishing positive public relations within and outside the school community

Oversees programs for the effective recruiting and retention of students

Initiates and directs both short and long-range planning for the school

Oversees the promotion of the Catholic Education Arizona program

Records

Manages an effective and efficient office and record-keeping system

Maintains complete, accurate, up-to-date personnel and student records according to diocesan guidelines

Prepares reports as required

Supervises correspondence and publications

Physical Plant

Ensures a clean, secure, and orderly campus

Monitors a schedule for the upkeep and preventive maintenance of the buildings and grounds

Additional job functions:

Serves as an ex officio member of the school advisory board, strategic planning committee, and finance committee within the school

Serves as the president of the school corporation

Maintains professional development through reading, coursework, conference attendance, professional committee work, visiting other schools, and meeting with other administrators

Acquaints himself/herself with local enrichment opportunities, referral agencies, fire and police department and social services available to the school

Performs any other job-related tasks deemed necessary and/or assigned by the President or the Superintendent