Principal

Job Description

About the Position
The Principal of Hackett Catholic Prep serves as the chief academic leader of the school and is responsible for providing vision, leadership, and oversight of all academic and student-life programming. The Principal works collaboratively with the Superintendent, Canonical Administrator, faculty, staff, and governing bodies to ensure that the school's educational programs are aligned with the mission of Hackett Catholic Prep and the standards of the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
The Principal oversees curriculum, instruction, counseling, co-curricular and extracurricular programs, and athletics. He/she demonstrates a commitment to Catholic faith in interactions, serving as a spiritually grounded leader in all facets of the work. The Principal represents Hackett Catholic Prep to internal and external stakeholders, including the Diocese of Kalamazoo, parents, alumni, donors, prospective families, and the broader Kalamazoo community.

The Ideal Candidate Will:
Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, with a demonstrated commitment to Church teachings and gospel values both personally and professionally.
Demonstrate a passion for learning as evidenced by successful experiences in classroom instruction and school administration, supported by strong academic credentials; minimum Bachelor's degree, advanced degree (Master's) preferred.
Provide effective leadership, oversight, and accountability for academic programming and student life at Hackett Catholic Prep.
Oversee faculty, staff, academic facilities, student support services, calendar, handbooks, and co-curricular and extracurricular programs.
Assess the effectiveness of curriculum and instructional programs through analysis of student outcomes, including data-based assessments.
Foster a school culture marked by hospitality, mutual respect, academic excellence, and Christian virtue among students, families, faculty, and volunteers.
Demonstrate excellent communication skills and reflect personal qualities well suited to interacting with external constituencies, including admissions efforts.
Serve as an inspirational leader of a dynamic, faith-centered community while grounding decisions in discernment, goodwill, and cura personalis (care for the person).
The Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Education (ILEE) has been retained to advise the Search Committee in its process. Interested candidates should contact Kent Hickey, ILEE Director of Leadership Formation, to discuss this opportunity at kent@ileeconnect.org The Search Committee is actively seeking to secure the next Principal of Hackett Catholic Prep with an aggressive timeline for completing the process and assumption of duties in July 2026.

1. Candidates who have completed a confidential conversation with Kent Hickey and are interested in submitting an application should provide the following as individual documents to Deacon Kurt Lucas, Associate Superintendent for Catholic Identity and Education Services, klucas@diokzoo.org
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Professional references (3)
- Statement of Catholic educational philosophy
- Letter of good standing from Pastor on parish letterhead

2. Candidates who meet qualifications and expectations will be invited to an initial interview on a rolling basis. Reference and social media checks will be conducted for those candidates who advance to the semi-finalist stage.

About the Employer

Hackett Catholic Prep is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school serving grades 9-12 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, Hackett emphasizes academic excellence, character formation, service, and spiritual growth, preparing students for post-secondary success and lifelong discipleship. https://hackettcp.org