Principal

Job Description

Building upon its rich, 100-year history and remarkable accomplishments in academics, school culture, campus vision, and service to the Church, St. Charles Preparatory School, an all-boys, college-preparatory high school of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, seeks its next Principal (functions as a head of school or CEO).

St. Charles aspires to "build better men" through prayer, faith, service, character formation, and hard work in an environment that values discipleship, accountability, and excellence. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni share a tangible commitment to brotherhood, which marks the St. Charles experience in the classroom, Church, and community. The next Principal will inherit and lead a community unified by strong culture, rich traditions, and optimism for the future of this landmark school in the Columbus Diocese.

This leadership transition will occur at a favorable time for the community. The school has enjoyed continuous skilled and dedicated leadership, leading to significant accomplishments. In 2023, St. Charles commemorated its 100-year anniversary and welcomed the largest classes in the school's history. The school's expansive campus in Bexley features impressive, recent projects such as the Frank E. Murphy '54 Convocation Center, a central plaza, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, and the striking Robert C. Walter Student Commons. Currently, construction is underway on the Brotherhood Center, built on the footprint of the school's original gym and set to feature 11 additional classrooms, state-of-the-art technology, and spaces for wellness, collaboration, and performance.

The school's teaching faculty is experienced, deeply committed to Catholic all-boys education, and invested in St. Charles culture and traditions. Faculty retention is exceptionally high. The academic program is classically influenced, rigorous, and focused on critical thinking and problem-solving. The school is growing its ability to meet the needs of diverse learners while maintaining the unity and tradition that have defined its academic mission.

Additionally, the alumni community is vast, dedicated, and positioned to support the school, now and into the future. The school's current enrollment of 570 students is expected to grow due to the population increase in Columbus and St. Charles's accomplishments and reputation. The next Principal can expect to build upon an excellent foundation in preparation for St. Charles's next 100 years.

The Principal is supported by three Vice-Principals and a robust Advancement Office with dedicated personnel in admissions, annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, alumni, and strategic communications. St. Charles is fully staffed and is regarded as a premier teaching and learning environment.

Strong candidates will be an active, practicing Catholic who possesses demonstrated leadership experience in Catholic high schools, exemplary communication, and relationship-building skills, and be adept at engaging and inspiring a broad range of stakeholders. The ability to both possess and articulate a vision of sincere, integral, Catholic education in today's world will be key. Experience with an all-boys education is valuable. With a visible presence inside and outside the school community, the Principal will be the unifying leader and role model of St. Charles for students, staff members, and the broader community.

The Principal position is available for July 1, 2024.

Applicants are expected to be faith-filled, practicing Catholics, in good standing with the Church, and possess an advanced degree in education or a related field. Salary and benefits are competitive with the local, Catholic education market and commensurate with experience.

Interested leaders are invited to contact Chris Keavy, lead search counsel, to schedule an informal, confidential conversation.

To apply, please submit the following materials as separate PDF attachments in one email to Chris Keavy at ckeavy@partnersinmission.com.

1. Cover letter that aligns your experiences and skills with the current needs of the school as you understand them
2. Current resume with all appropriate dates included
3. Statement of Catholic educational philosophy
4. Pastor's letter indicating you are an active, practicing Catholic
5. List of three references with names, physical addresses, phone numbers, and email
addresses. No references will be contacted without your knowledge and approval.
6. All inquiries and applications will be treated with the highest degree of confidentiality.

About the Employer

Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions is the retained search division of Partners in Mission, the nation's leading full-service consulting firm focused exclusively on developing excellence in Catholic school advancement and leadership. As partners among ourselves and with our clients' missions, we value, understand, and embrace the importance of Catholic education in our personal and professional lives - and remain committed to ensuring its strength and vitality for years to come. Engaged by religious and school communities, boards and dioceses, our team of dedicated search consultants have identified and secured mission-driven professionals to serve in a myriad of diverse Catholic school and diocesan leadership positions from Massachusetts to Hawaii.