Career Center

NOTRE DAME ACADEMY & PRESCHOOL

Principal

The Mission of Notre Dame Academy is to live out the message of Christ’s love through the union of faith, family, and academic excellence.

Under the pastor of St. Thérèse of Carmel Catholic Church, Notre Dame Academy is seeking a qualified and experienced educational leader to serve as Principal.  A qualified candidate is someone who is deeply committed to further the development of the faith, life, and academic excellence of the school.  Notre Dame Academy, which was founded by the Sisters of the Institute of Union-Chretienne de Saint Chaumond and will be owned and operated by St. Thérèse of Carmel Catholic Church, has both single and double classrooms in preschool through eighth grade and is located in Carmel Valley, California. The position formally starts July 1, 2023, with preliminary work beginning in the spring of 2023; actual start date to be mutually agreed to at a later time.  Notre Dame Academy’s 2022-2023 enrollment is (number) students. For more information about the school go to www.ndasd.org. 

The students, parents, faculty and staff of Notre Dame Academy are part of the St. Thérèse of Carmel Catholic Church community, and work together to provide quality education in the Catholic tradition. The school serves families of varied ethnic, social and economic backgrounds who desire a rich, Catholic education. Recognizing parents as the primary educators of their children, the school works cooperatively with families to achieve spiritual growth and academic excellence. The faculty share with the parents the Church’s educational mission. Through a variety of teaching methods and best practices, Notre Dame Academy cultivates a setting that enables each child to achieve his or her potential, both spiritually and intellectually. Notre Dame Academy continually strives for excellence by providing the best possible education for its students. This is achieved by developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills essential for a well-informed, Christ-centered life.

Principal Job Description:

The principal, as delegate of the pastor, and with the support and supervision of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, has immediate responsibility for implementing the philosophy and vision of the school in its regular operation.   In collaboration with the pastor St. Thérèse of Carmel Catholic Church, the principal functions as a spiritual role model and academic leader, fostering the intellectual, spiritual and human development of our students as defined by Notre Dame Academy & Preschool vision and mission statements, with the goal of instilling a strong Catholic Identity.  The principal is responsible for supporting the parish mission to evangelize and catechize youth, in a Catholic School environment. The academy principal has the responsibility to:

• Implement School Vision and Mission Statements in its Regular Operations.
  • Review periodically with pastor Notre Dame Academy, Faculty, School Advisory Board, Parent/Teacher Group (PTG) and implement the academy mission, goals, and objectives.
• Administer the Academy Academic and Catechetical Programs
• Implement policies established by the pastor, St. Thérèse of Carmel Catholic Church, those stated in the Handbook for Catholic Schools and those of the Department of Human Resources, Diocese of San Diego.
• In conjunction with the Pastor, monitor the financial operations of the school and prepare reports to the Office for Schools, the school’s Finance Council, and Diocesan Finance Office
• In conjunction with the Pastor, provide instructional leadership in accordance with and in collaboration with the Office for Schools Academic Excellence initiatives.
• Oversee the Infrastructure of Programs and Services that Ensures the Operational Vitality
  • Maintain records/prepare reports pertaining to staff, students, programs/instruction, and plant facilities/maintenance as required by the Pastor, the Diocese, State and Federal law
  • Plans and Procedures (establish and employ policies and processes)
  • Climate (safe, fair, and respectful environment)
  • Facilitate Master Schedule and Teaching Assignments between preschool, elementary and middle school programs
• Direct the work of the Directors of Campus Culture and Communication to facilitate family and community engagement/involvement and timely communications to the wider Notre Dame Academy/St. Thérèse of Carmel Catholic Church community
• Establish and Support Networks of Collaboration
  • Support academic and social/emotional through structure and support systems such as MTSS/SSTs/IEPs/ESPs/CLTs
• Direct the work of Directors of Campus Culture and Learning Resource for tier 2 and 3 interventions
• Facilitate a Professional Learning Culture
  • Development and oversight of personnel, including requirement, professional growth, faith formation, and formal assessment
• Guide and support the implementation of curriculum, instruction, and assessments
• Lead Restorative Practices Team for implementation, professional learning, parent and student learning and training and communication
• Oversee assessment and Accountability
  • Develop and use assessment and accountability systems to monitor, improve, and extend educator practice and student learning
  • Lead Data Team for assessment and accountability
• Direct WCEA/WASC Self-Evaluation and Follow-Up Accreditation/Review process
  • Implementation of goals and action plan
  • Facilitate ongoing assessment and production of accreditation process/document

Principal Qualifications/Experience:

Religious:

• A leader/facilitator of the school faith community
• A practicing Roman Catholic with a strong understanding of the Catholic faith
• Deeply committed to the development of his/her own faith and that of the parents, teachers and students
• Understanding and dedication to the ministry of Catholic education

Professional:

• Have a minimum of three years successful experience in Catholic Schools
• Have a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and/or California Administrative Credential
• Have the ability to verbalize and clarify the philosophy and vision of Catholic School Education based upon church documents relevant to Catholic education
• Demonstrate leadership ability in past or present educational experiences

All candidates being considered for this position will be interviewed by the NDA Principal Selection Advisory Committee, chaired by the Pastor, St. Thérèse of Carmel Catholic Church, with the support and supervision of the Superintendent of Schools. (Candidates contacted for interview will travel at their own expense)