Principal

Job Description

PRINCIPAL
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School
Newport Beach, California
July 2026

Salary Range is $150,000 to $175,000

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School (OLQA) is a vibrant TK-8 parish school in Newport Beach, California, serving more than 450 students in a faith-filled, academically rigorous environment. Founded in 1964, OLQA partners closely with families to form students spiritually, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Guided by Christ and rooted in Catholic tradition, the school empowers students through faith, knowledge, and service while fostering a culture of high expectations, joyful community, and lifelong learning.

Reporting directly to the Pastor and serving as the Bishop's representative in matters of Catholic school administration, the Principal is entrusted with the full leadership of this thriving parish school. The Principal serves as spiritual leader, chief academic officer, and chief administrative steward, ensuring that OLQA's mission and vision are lived daily and reflected in measurable outcomes.

The next Principal will preserve and strengthen the school's Catholic identity while advancing academic excellence, faculty development, enrollment vitality, and long-term sustainability. This leader must combine deep faith with executive competence - capable of inspiring students and families while confidently managing enrollment targets, school finances, faculty performance, and operational systems.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

• Championing a compelling Catholic vision that drives school decisions and student outcomes
• Leading a rigorous, standards-based academic program supported by data-informed instruction
• Recruiting, developing, and retaining mission-aligned faculty and staff
• Partnering with the Pastor and parish leadership to ensure strong mission alignment and parish engagement
• Maintaining sound fiduciary oversight and supporting development and philanthropic initiatives that secure long-term vitality
• Engaging parents as active partners through consistent, transparent communication

• Building a culture of high expectations, accountability, and respect

THE OPPORTUNITY

OLQA is well-positioned for its next chapter. With strong enrollment, engaged families, recent accreditation success, and a history of excellence, the school seeks a Principal who can build upon this foundation with clarity, courage, and vision.

The ideal candidate is an active Catholic in good standing with the Church, possesses prior experience as a Catholic school teacher and principal, demonstrates strength in instructional leadership and financial stewardship, and brings the confidence to lead complex conversations with professionalism and faith.

This is both a ministry and a significant executive leadership opportunity. OLQA seeks a Principal who understands that forming young disciples and leading a high-performing Catholic school are inseparable responsibilities - and who approaches both with conviction, competence, and hope for the future of Catholic education.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The official job description is posted on OLQA's page under the active searches page at www.acelasolutions.com

SCHOOL WEBSITE

To learn more about this amazing school community, visit the OLQA website at www.olqaschool.org

APPLICATION PROCESS

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School has retained ACELA Solutions as its exclusive search partner to lead this important leadership transition.

All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be managed directly by ACELA Solutions and handled with the highest level of confidentiality and professional discretion.

Interested candidates are invited to visit the OLQA page under our active searches page at www.acelasolutions.com to submit the following application materials in PDF format, addressed to Michael Furey, Founder & CEO, ACELA Solutions, for consideration:

• Letter of Interest - Rather than a traditional cover letter, candidates are asked to submit a thoughtful letter describing what draws them to OLQA, their vision for Catholic education, and why this leadership opportunity is compelling at this moment in their vocational and professional journey.
• Resume or curriculum vitae will all appropriate dates included
• Statement of Catholic Educational Philosophy
• Five references representing a balance of personal, professional, and spiritual perspectives, including at least one reference who can speak to the candidate's faith life and leadership witness

References will be used as part of a holistic discernment process. No references will be contacted without the candidate's prior knowledge and explicit permission, and confidentiality will be safeguarded with the utmost care throughout the search.

About the Employer

ACELA Solutions is a trusted national partner serving Catholic foundations, schools, dioceses, religious communities, and ministries through mission-driven leadership solutions. We advance Catholic education, leadership, and philanthropy through actionable, accessible support rooted in discernment, strategy, and stewardship.

Our leadership partners have served more than 6,000 Catholic institutions nationwide, worked in over 90% of U.S. dioceses, raised more than $2 billion in philanthropic support, secured nearly 600 leaders, and completed over 500 strategic engagements.

ACELA provides executive search, leadership and team development, strategic planning and assessments, system design, partnered counsel, board development, and workshops-guided by a philosophy of mission over margin.