Principal

Job Description

ST. ANNE CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Principal Search - Position Profile

PreK-7 | Diocesan Catholic School | Diocese of Charleston

ABOUT ST. ANNE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
St. Anne Catholic School has served the Rock Hill community since 1951, forming young disciples of
Christ while delivering academic excellence rooted in Catholic tradition. Enrolling 320 students
today, St. Anne holds a distinguished place in South Carolina history: following the Supreme Court's
1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, St. Anne became the first racially integrated school in
the state - a testament to its enduring commitment to faith, equity, and community.
St. Anne will serve students in PreK-7 on the parish campus in Rock Hill for the 2026-27 school
year. The school is in an exciting period of renewal: 8th grade returns in the 2027-28 school year,
and the school is sharpening its focus on long-term strategic growth under its four institutional
pillars.

Distinctive Programs & Features
• PreK-7 parochial school, with 8th grade returning in 2027-28
• Traditional, student-centered, inclusive academic program
• John Paul the Great Program for the Arts
• STEM and Care for Creation Focus (2026-27 school year)
• The Pope Francis Center for Student Success

THE OPPORTUNITY
St. Anne Catholic School seeks a dynamic, Christ-centered leader to serve as Principal. This is an
entrepreneurial leadership opportunity for a mission-driven educator who can inspire a faith
community, manage institutional growth, and guide long-term strategic planning. The Principal
reports to the Parish Administrator and will be the chief steward of the school's four pillars: Catholic
Identity, Governance and Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Operational Vitality.
The ideal candidate combines a deep Catholic faith with the financial acumen,
organizational agility, and entrepreneurial mindset required to lead a
mission-driven institution through a period of strategic growth and renewal.

PILLAR I - CATHOLIC IDENTITY
The Catholic identity of St. Anne is not a program - it is the soul of everything the school does. The
Principal is the primary faith leader of the school community, modeling discipleship and ensuring
that Catholic values permeate curriculum, culture, and community life.

What We Expect
• Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, with a sincere and active faith life
• Champion Catholic faith formation as the foundation of all academic and extracurricular
programming
• Demonstrate attentiveness to the life-giving presence of God at St. Anne and model this for
faculty and staff
• Be committed to the Diocese of Charleston's vision, mission, and philosophy for Catholic
education
• Support and advance authentic Catholic education through ongoing school renewal
• Foster a community of care that reflects the faith, service, and diversity of the Catholic
community in Rock Hill

PILLAR II - GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP
Effective governance and visionary leadership are essential to St. Anne's ability to fulfill its mission.
The Principal must be a collaborative, decisive, and entrepreneurial leader who can navigate
complexity, build strong teams, and align all stakeholders around a shared vision.

What We Expect
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset - proactively identifying opportunities for growth,
innovation, and sustainability
• Lead with clarity and decisiveness while remaining collaborative and consultative with faculty,
staff, parish, and diocese
• Demonstrate experience in Catholic school governance and familiarity with NSBECS's four
pillars framework
• Serve as a credible advocate for St. Anne in the broader community, diocese, and prospective
family marketplace
• Exhibit trust and mutual respect with all stakeholders: students, faculty, parents, parish, and
the Diocese of Charleston
• Possess a positive, action-oriented attitude with a propensity for setting realistic, specific, and
attainable goals
• Manage the strategic reintegration of 8th grade in 2027-28 and support long-term planning
initiatives
• Act as a catalyst for change while sustaining and honoring the school's rich heritage and
traditions
• Strengthen the teacher evaluation process and serve as an instructional coach for all teachers
• Lead with faith in times of adversity and be a steadfast advocate for the school in both actions
and words

PILLAR III - ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
St. Anne delivers a rigorous, student-centered academic program that forms the whole child -
intellectually, spiritually, and socially. The Principal is the instructional leader of the school,
responsible for sustaining a culture of learning, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

What We Expect
• Demonstrate expertise in curriculum implementation, instructional leadership, and academic
program evaluation
• Foster a climate of intellectual curiosity and a genuine love of learning in every classroom and
across both campuses
• Drive faculty professional development, evaluation, and growth through coaching and
Learning Community participation
• Support and expand signature academic programs: John Paul the Great Arts Program, STEM
and Care for Creation, and the Pope Francis Center for Student Success
• Create a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for every student
• Recruit, retain, and develop high-quality teachers who share the school's mission and values
• Use data and evidence to drive programmatic decisions and ensure every student can succeed

PILLAR IV - OPERATIONAL VITALITY
A thriving Catholic school requires sound financial stewardship, strong enrollment, and operational
discipline. The Principal must be as comfortable with a budget spreadsheet as with a classroom
walk-through - understanding that operational health directly enables the school's mission.

What We Expect
• Demonstrate financial acumen: ability to read, manage, and improve upon a school budget;
experience with tuition-based revenue models, grants, and development
• Approach enrollment management strategically - actively recruiting new families while
retaining and deepening relationships with current families
• Collaborate with parish and school community to support fundraising initiatives, school
events, and community engagement
• Understand and navigate the financial dynamics unique to a parochial school, including the
relationship between parish and school resources
• Bring an entrepreneurial approach to identifying new revenue streams, cost efficiencies, and
partnership opportunities that sustain and grow the school
• Ensure operational systems, facilities, and safety protocols support a high-quality educational
environment across the parish campus
• Oversee compliance with diocesan policies and state requirements while maintaining efficient
day-to-day school operations
• Develop and execute strategic plans that reflect both near-term priorities and the school's
long-term vision

QUALIFICATIONS
Required
• Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church
• Master's degree required (education, leadership, or related field)
• Previous teaching and administrative experience at the elementary or middle school level
• Demonstrated commitment to Catholic education and the Diocese of Charleston's vision and mission

Strongly Preferred
• Experience with Catholic school governance and the NSBECS four-pillar framework
• Track record of budget management, financial planning, and/or development in an educational setting
• Experience leading enrollment growth and community engagement initiatives
• Background in strategic planning and organizational change management
• Entrepreneurial leadership experience - building programs, partnerships, or initiatives from
the ground up

About the Employer

The Chancery exists to serve the mission of the Bishop of Charleston to teach, sanctify, and govern the Catholic Church in South Carolina. Led by the Bishop, the Chancery supports the clergy, religious, and lay faithful in fulfilling the Great Commission given to us by the Lord Jesus (Mt 28:16-20).