The Diocese of Grand Rapids, comprising some 180,000 Catholics across 79 parishes, maintains a vibrant presence in Catholic education. There is an alliance of 31 vibrant, faith-filled learning communities serving more than 6,400 students across 26 elementary schools and five high schools. Under Superintendent Dave Faber's extraordinary 14-year tenure, the collection of Catholic schools in the diocese have effectively inspired tens of thousands of young people to grow in Catholic faith and grace and achieve more in school and in life.
In 2013, Pope Francis appointed Rev. David J. Walkowiak as the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Bishop Walkowiak now seeks a missionary disciple to serve as the next Superintendent of Schools, one who will build on Superintendent Faber's strong and steadfast leadership. There has been demonstrated enrollment growth in seven of the last ten years. This growth stems from establishing a shared vision for an alliance of Catholic schools expanding outstanding educational ministry and implementing new governance models diocese-wide that feature boards of limited jurisdiction. Under the direction of Bishop Walkowiak, Superintendent Faber led the Bishop's Catholic Schools Initiative, a three-year, three-part effort that furthered the vision for an alliance of Catholic schools by increasing the affordability of Catholic schools through scholarships, increasing the professional capacity of the office of Catholic schools, and created a plan for the future vitality of Catholic schools in the Diocese. The Catholic schools have achieved a fourth consecutive year of overall enrollment growth for the first time in at least a generation.
The next Superintendent will discover extraordinary commitment and talent among principals, teachers, staff, and volunteer leadership. There is profound and warranted pride in the educational accomplishments of the Diocese; there is also an authentic appreciation and recognition of the opportunities to be undertaken during the tenure of the next Superintendent, among which include financial realities and the desire to maintain affordable tuitions, the creative and visionary need to promote academic excellence and ongoing faith formation that is transformational and Christ-centered, shifting demographics, increased need to advocate for school choice options, changes nationally in traditional school governance structures, and demographic trends impacting sustainability. For more information about the "Catholic Schools: Bridging Faith and Future" strategic plan, please visit grdiocese.org/schools/strategic-plan.
The search committee is on a fast track to identify and secure the next Superintendent of Catholic Schools. While the position description and detailed search prospectus are being prepared, interested candidates can begin exploring this exciting, system-level executive leadership opportunity by immediately contacting Kyle Pietrantonio. All inquiries and applications will be treated with the highest degree of confidentiality and with the greatest respect.
For more information about the Diocese of Grand Rapids Catholic Schools, please visit catholicschools4u.org/#about.
Candidates are expected to be available to assume the responsibilities of the position in July 2025.
Apply Now: kpietrantonio@partnersinmission.com
CONTACT
Kyle Pietrantonio, Partner
kpietrantonio@partnersinmission.com
Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC
(202) 390-0230
www.partnersinmissionslss.com
