St Peter’s Catholic School, located in beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina, is a thriving Catholic elementary school that collaborates with families to cultivate excellence of mind, heart, and spirit. Started in 1991, St Peter’s opened with just 79 children in grades K4-1st grade. Now it serves 180 students in grades pre-K3 to 6th, offering students a place to learn and live their faith while excelling in academics.
Position Summary: The co-principal of a Catholic Elementary School is the spiritual and educational leader of the Catholic school and all its members including faculty, staff, and students. The co-principal is a devout, practicing Catholic, responsible for living and serving as an authentic witness to the faith and is in good standing with the Church. He/she will collaborate with the Pastor and the faculty and staff to uphold the vision, mission and philosophy of a Catholic school. The co-principal will serve alongside the current principal who is poised to retire after a short transition. This unique opportunity will allow for an ideal and seamless transition of leadership to ensure optimal and continued growth at St. Peter’s School. The co-principal serves as a dynamic leader, able to resolve conflict, make difficult decisions with prudence all while maintaining professional boundaries, sound judgment and confidentiality. In addition, the co-principal will work with the pastor on a capital campaign to expand and advance the mission of Catholic education in Beaufort by leading fundraising efforts, increasing enrollment, and supporting educators through ongoing faith formation and professional development.
Classification: Exempt Reports To: Pastor: Fr. Trapp
Essential Job Functions:
- Collaborate with the pastor and faculty to strengthen the school’s Catholic identity by upholding the philosophy of Catholic education; including but not limited to: cross curricula permeation, and providing opportunities to celebrate the faith through prayer and sacraments throughout the liturgical year.
- Model the teachings of the Catholic Church through lived discipleship with Christ, including daily prayer and frequent reception of the sacraments.
- Adherence to and promotion of the magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church and policies of the Diocese of Charleston.
- Create opportunities for ongoing faith formation and professional development in areas of the curriculum and instruction as it relates to the Catholic faith while collaborating and participating in similar opportunities with the Diocesan Catholic Schools Office.
- Carefully supervise and evaluate all faculty and staff; working closely with them as a resource to assist and support them in all areas without micromanaging.
- Collaborate with the staff to enhance the academic excellence and educational environment of the school through instructional support, curriculum, professional development and resources.
- Diligently and effectively communicate with the pastor, current principal, faculty and all constituents.
- Ability to identify areas that need improvement and effectively develop and implement a strategic plan in collaboration with the pastor, principal and staff.
- Strong organizational skills are needed.
- Experienced Catholic educator who favors a more classical approach to education (i.e.: reading the classics, cursive writing, etc.) The school is not considered classical but implements a strong classical Catholic culture.
- Integrate, collaborate with and strengthen the relationship with donors to drive fundraising
- Business and financial acumen is beneficial in this role.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
- Energetic, joyful, experienced school administrator
- Attract, screen, hire and retain dynamic and faithful Catholic teachers
- Oversee the daily functions of the school in collaboration with the current principal
Education Requirements/Position Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree or equivalent administrative experience
- Must be a faithful, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church able to serve as an authentic witness to the faith to all constituents
- Experience teaching in an elementary school classroom
- Experience in enrollment and advancement efforts
- Excellent communication skills and the personality and ability to work with various constituents but especially with the pastor, current principal, faculty, staff, students, and families.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: This position requires standing, walking, sitting, talking, hearing. This position requires that you will lift up to 10 pounds at least 1/3 of the time.