Principal

Job Description

Bishop McHugh Regional School, a PK-8 Catholic school located just inland from Sea Isle City near Dennis Township, NJ, is seeking a creative and collaborative leader to build and implement a vision that represents and serves serve its students, families, and community as principal, beginning on July 1, 2026. Bishop McHugh offers a comprehensive educational experience in a safe and supportive environment for students in preschool through eighth grade. We empower children to become kind, caring, and considerate individuals who live and promote Christian values as members of society. Following the Catholic tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, we promote Gospel values through prayer, liturgical experiences, and outreach to serve others both locally and globally. This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader with a growth mindset, open to innovative ways to meet the needs of school families, parishioners, and the entire community of Cape May County.

Application

Interested candidates should submit the following to employment@sjcatholicschools.org with the subject: Bishop McHugh Principal Search. 1) A letter of interest articulating your personal sense of calling to this ministry and how your personal approach to leadership aligns with the mission and values of Bishop McHugh Regional School; and 2) A resume that clearly indicates your educational and professional background and experience.

Qualifications

1. A practicing Catholic who possesses the knowledge and skills to share the truths of the Catholic Faith with students, parents, and staff
2. Master's Degree
3. Five years of teaching and/or educational administrative experience, preferably in Catholic Schools
4. Evidence of competency in management, communication, and collaborative skills
5. A New Jersey Teacher or Principal Certificate (preferred)

Job Description and Selected Duties

The elementary school principal is the primary full-time administrator of the school, with responsibilities in Catholic Identity, Programmatic Excellence, and Operational Vitality. The position requires both deep involvement in the day-to-day reality of the key accountabilities included below and the ability to work in the context of the vision for the school and collaborate with relevant members of the diocese, local parishes, and school to deliver on the expectations of those communities.

Catholic Identity

*Foster a welcoming, inclusive, Christ-centered school culture
*Model discipleship for all faculty, students, and the community through prayer, service, and action
*Commit to strengthening and sustaining Catholic perspective and action in all parts of the school, including communication, curriculum, and service
*Ensure that Catholic Identity is an integral part of the school curriculum and that the diocesan curriculum for Religious Studies is used at all grades
*Facilitate the spiritual and religious formation of all teachers

Programmatic Excellence

*Ensure that the diocesan curriculum is implemented for all subjects and grades, making necessary adjustments to ensure that it is appropriately differentiated for all students
*Establish and hold students and teachers accountable to rigorous standards of achievement
*Provide for the ongoing professional learning of all teachers, including the use of effective teaching strategies for all students, in collaboration with the Office of Catholic Schools and diocesan initiatives
*Supervise and evaluate instruction through effective hiring and regular observation and dialogue with teachers
*Maintain discipline so that students can thrive in a Catholic academic setting

Operational Vitality

*Implement and supervise the directives and policies of the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Camden, and the New Jersey Department of Education, as applicable
*Provide an environment which is safe, healthy, and educationally conducive for all students, including the supervision of students whenever and wherever the school has responsibility for them
*Serve on the Executive Board of the PTA/PTO and as an ex officio member of the School Board or School Finance Committee
*Work with the relevant parish and diocesan staff to establish and adhere to a yearly school budget, implementing diocesan budget procedures and guidelines
*Coordinate and maximize the use of all state and federal assistance programs provided for the school

Advancement, Enrollment, and Communication

*Establish growth goals for enrollment and supervise the Director of Advancement in pursuing effective strategies for realizing them
*Supervise all aspects of the recruitment and registration of students
*Establish and pursue growth goals for fundraising and development
*Communicate regularly and effectively with all school stakeholders, including: parents, teachers, parishioners, parish staff, diocesan staff, funders, and others

Send applications or inquiries to: employment@sjcatholicschools.org

About the Employer

Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School, a collaborative and diverse community of learners, offers a comprehensive educational experience in a safe and supportive environment for students in preschool through eighth grade. We empower children to become kind, caring, and considerate individuals who live and promote Christian values as members of society. Following the Catholic tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, we promote Gospel values through prayer, liturgical experiences, and outreach to serve others both locally and globally.