Principal

Job Description

St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville Maryland is currently seeking a Principal for the 2024-25 school year.

Vision Statement of St Jerome Academy
"St. Jerome Academy educates children in the truest and fullest sense by giving them the necessary tools of learning and by fostering wonder and love for all that is genuinely true, good, and beautiful. We emphasize classical learning because we want our students to read well, speak well, and think well and ultimately because truth and beauty are good in themselves and desirable for their own sake. We seek to incorporate our students into the wisdom of two thousand years of Catholic thought, history, culture, and arts so that they might understand themselves and their world in the light of the truth and acquire the character to live happy and integrated lives in the service of God and others. Education in this deep and comprehensive sense extends beyond the classroom and is more than just the acquisition of skills. It encompasses the whole of one's life. For this reason, St. Jerome's seeks to involve families ever more deeply in the life of the school and in the education of their children."

St. Jerome's School was opened in 1943, staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

In 2009, the school entered the consultation process with the Archdiocese of Washington. It emerged with approval to launch its own Educational Plan of St Jerome Academy in 2010. Since then, St Jerome Academy has used this plan to implement Catholic Classical education for grades K-8. In 2013, the school opened the Montessori House for Toddlers and Primary students. Today, St Jerome Academy serves 500 students in Montessori through 8th grades.

St Jerome Academy seeks a servant leader who is serious about teaching children to grow in wisdom and virtue, and encounter Christ by incarnating the Logos. This leader should desire their own personal holiness by living the gospel and living a life of humility. They should be comfortable with Catechesis and Evangelization and see the school as a missionary arm of the parish.

In this role, the Principal shall be responsible for:

Catholic Identity
•Model Catholic values in all interactions with faculty/staff, students, school families and the greater community.
•Actively foster and support Catholic beliefs, traditions, and practices.
•Reflect the Catholic Church's teaching on social justice and witness service to others. (Policies for Catholic Schools - Third Revision - 2018)
•Assist in the planning of liturgical ceremonies such as mass, penance services, prayer services, etc. (as required).
•Attend Catholic liturgical ceremonies (as required).
•Promote a faith-based school community that is routed in Catholic traditions and practices.
Organization and Institutional Leadership
•Manage the general operations of the school.
•Implement instructional, assessment, supervisory and disciplinary standards, and monitoring progress towards school goals.
•Direct or coordinate school and government programs such as standardized assessments, accreditation and assurances, high school admissions, Title 2, Title 3, and the Maryland Textbook/ Aging School Grants.
•Create and maintain the school budget to ensure viability.
•Plan and coordinate orientations for new parents and students.
•Planning of faculty/ staff meetings and professional development.
•Facilitate the planning of the school calendar and class schedules.
•Effectively delegate responsibilities and foster shared leadership.
•Create a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Supervision and Instructional Leadership
•Foster an atmosphere of rigorous academic standards and achievement for all students and faculty.
•Routinely observe and provide written and/or verbal feedback to faculty and staff in accordance with the guidelines set by the Catholic Schools Office using classroom observation, students contact, parent input and general observation.
•Oversee the teacher evaluation process.
Student Services and Discipline
•Set high standards for student behavior that are based on Catholic values.
•Set clear and fair guidelines for student conduct and apply them in a consistent and judicious manner.
•Keep complete and accurate student disciplinary records.
•Effectively manage student conflict.
•Effectively manage student/teacher conflict
•Effectively manage parent/teacher conflict
•Conduct student and/or parent conferences related to discipline matters and keep accurate and complete notes.
•Demonstrate effective interpersonal relationships with students, faculty/staff and parents.

Staff Development
•Manage the planning of a professional development program that is relevant to the needs of the faculty and improves student learning.
•Establish and maintain the orientation and mentoring of new faculty and staff.
•Attend meetings and participate in professional development programs offered by the Catholic Schools Office
•Meet and maintain state and Archdiocese of Washington certification requirements.
Communication
•Communicate regularly with stakeholders on school related issues.
•Address faculty and staff concerns.
•Display strong verbal and written communications skills.
•Use strong interpersonal skills to work with diverse groups of people and opinions.

Requirements:
Principals in the Archdiocese of Washington shall be practicing Catholics who uphold the teaching of the faith and are committed to Catholic education that is academically excellent and rooted in Gospel values. Qualified candidates should be a certified catechist or demonstrate continuing progress towards attaining catechist certification in no more than three (3) years after date of hire and hold a Master's degree from an accredited institution in educational administration, curriculum development or an approved related educational field, They also will possess or be eligible for a Maryland, Virginia or District of Columbia educational administration certification and have a minimum of five (5) years of instructional experience, preferably in Catholic schools.

Applicants should be well versed in the Catholic Classical Liberal Arts and have a rich understanding of the Educational Plan of St Jerome. In particular, applicants should have a grasp of the historical arc of western civilization from ancient civilizations to salvation history to the modern era. Applicants should have an understanding of integration and thematic teaching, classical methods and assessments, and resources for staff and parents to grow in wisdom and virtue.
At least 5 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
Master's degree preferred.
Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

To apply, click on the link:
https://recruiting.ultipro.com/ARC1012ARCHW/JobBoard/a6c08282-64df-408a-a35b-24830a852469/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=1ea93b8c-f87b-4080-acee-8e1b38b4d35c

or

Please forward your letter of interest and resume to: Chris Buchleitner - buchleitnerc@adw.org

About the Employer

St. Jerome School educates children in the truest and fullest sense by giving them the necessary tools of learning and by fostering wonder and love for all that is genuinely true, good, and beautiful. We emphasize classical learning because we want our students to read well, speak well, and think well and ultimately because truth and beauty are good in themselves and desirable for their own sake. We seek to incorporate our students into the wisdom of two thousand years of Catholic thought, history, culture, and arts so that they might understand themselves and their world in the light of the truth and acquire the character to live happy and integrated lives in the service of God and others.