Upper School Principal

Position Description

 

Upper School Head

The Upper School Principal provides spiritual, academic, instructional, and administrative leadership for students and faculty in grades 7–12. The Principal works closely with the Head of School, faculty, parents, students, and other administrators to ensure that the Upper School reflects the school’s mission, maintains high academic standards, develops Christ-centered leaders, and provides a safe, orderly, and nurturing learning environment.

 

The Principal is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operation of the Upper School and serves as the primary administrator for Upper School faculty, students, and families.

 

Qualifications

Demonstrated personal faith in Jesus Christ and commitment to Christian education.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; master’s degree in education or a related field preferred.
Significant classroom and/or school leadership experience.
Experience working with students in grades 7–12.
Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise faculty.
Strong classroom observation and instructional leadership skills.
Strong communication and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to work effectively with students, parents, faculty, and administrators.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Commitment to academic excellence and biblical truth.
Duties and Responsibilities

 

I. Spiritual Leadership and Discipleship

Model a personal and professional commitment to Jesus Christ and the mission of the school.
Lead the Upper School in a manner consistent with biblical principles, the school’s Statement of Faith, and its Christian philosophy of education.
Encourage faculty and students to integrate biblical truth into academics, relationships, decision-making, and daily life.
Work with the Dean of Discipleship to address spiritual and character concerns with students in a manner that is firm, gracious, restorative, and consistent with Scripture.
 

II. Academic Leadership

Provide leadership for the academic program for grades 7–12.
Ensure that curriculum, instruction, assessment, and classroom practices align with the school’s classical mission and educational philosophy.
Monitor academic rigor and maintain high expectations for student achievement.
Work with teachers and department leaders to ensure appropriate curriculum scope and sequence.
Review curriculum and course offerings annually and make recommendations for additions, changes, or discontinuations.
Monitor student academic performance and identify students who need additional support or intervention.
Review grades, academic reports, assessment data, and other indicators of student achievement.
Ensure that teachers maintain accurate and timely grades and communicate academic concerns appropriately.
Oversee academic probation and intervention processes.
Monitor course prerequisites, graduation requirements, credits, and student progress toward graduation.
Create student schedules and work with the Registrar/Counselor to ensure accurate academic records.
Oversee the Upper School master schedule in coordination with the Head of School and appropriate administrators.
Ensure that students receive appropriate academic advising regarding course selection and graduation requirements.
Oversees Upper School communications
Supervises the day-to-day operations of the Upper School
III. Faculty Leadership and Supervision

Supervise, support, and evaluate Upper School faculty.
Conduct formal and informal classroom observations.
Provide teachers with timely, specific, and constructive feedback.
Meet regularly with teachers to discuss instruction, classroom management, student concerns, and professional development. Address faculty performance concerns promptly and professionally.
Establish clear expectations for faculty professionalism, communication, classroom management, grading, attendance, and student care.
Develop and implement Performance Improvement Plans when necessary, in consultation with the Head of School.
Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and recommending Upper School faculty candidates.
Assist with new-teacher orientation and mentoring.
Coordinate Upper School faculty meetings and professional development.
Promote unity among faculty and address gossip, conflict, negativity, or other behaviors that undermine the school community.
Ensure faculty follow school policies and administrative procedures.
Communicate administrative decisions clearly and consistently to Upper School faculty.
IV. Student Leadership, Discipline and Culture

Maintain a safe, orderly, respectful, and Christ-centered Upper School environment.
Establish clear expectations for student behavior and enforce the school’s discipline policies consistently.
Meet with students regarding academic, behavioral, relational, or character concerns.
Handle serious disciplinary situations, including bullying, harassment, dishonesty, disrespect, inappropriate technology use, fighting, substance-related concerns, and other major violations of school policy. Ensure disciplinary decisions are documented appropriately.
Apply discipline in a manner that is consistent, fair, restorative, and aligned with biblical principles.
Recommend suspension, probation, dismissal, or other significant disciplinary actions to the Head of School when appropriate.
Monitor students who are on academic or behavioral probation.
Oversee student leadership organizations, student government, and other Upper School leadership opportunities as assigned. Promote student leadership and responsibility.
V. Parent and Family Relations

Actively supports the biblical role of parents in the education of their children
Serve as the primary administrative contact for Upper School academic, behavioral, and student-life concerns.
Maintain professional, respectful, and timely communication with parents.
Meet with parents regarding significant academic, behavioral, or relational concerns.
Partner with parents in addressing student challenges while maintaining appropriate school boundaries.
Respond to parent concerns with patience, professionalism, and biblical wisdom.
Ensure that parents receive accurate information regarding Upper School policies, expectations, schedules, academics, and student activities.
Helps plan Parent Education Lectures, College Night, Junior and Senior thesis presentations (in cooperation with the rhetoric teacher), etc.
VI. Student Safety & School Operations

Help ensure that the Upper School operates in a safe and orderly manner.
Respond to student emergencies and significant incidents.
Ensure faculty understand emergency procedures and school safety expectations.
Work with the Operations team regarding campus safety, security, traffic, facilities, and emergency procedures.
Monitor student attendance and ensure that attendance policies are followed. Address chronic tardiness and absenteeism.
Ensure appropriate supervision of students during arrival, dismissal, passing periods, lunch, chapel, assemblies, and other school activities.
Coordinate administrative coverage for Upper School events and activities.
VII. Upper School Student Life

Oversee the overall Upper School student experience.
Coordinate with faculty and administrators regarding assemblies, chapel, retreats, spirit activities, service projects, dances, banquets, and other student events.
Help establish and maintain appropriate traditions and community-building activities.
Oversee student organizations and clubs. Monitor student participation in extracurricular activities.
Ensure that extracurricular activities remain consistent with the school’s mission and standards.

 

VIII. Communication and Administration

Attend administrative and leadership meetings as assigned.
Provide regular updates to the Head of School regarding Upper School academics, faculty, students, discipline, and parent concerns.
Maintain appropriate documentation of significant student, parent, and faculty matters.
Communicate important policies and decisions to Upper School faculty.
Assist with the development and implementation of the annual Upper School calendar.
Help coordinate testing, exams, academic deadlines, graduation requirements, and other major academic dates.
Ensure that the Upper School follows school policies and procedures.
Assist with accreditation requirements and documentation.
Participate in strategic planning and school improvement initiatives.
IX. Enrollment, Retention Support, and Events

Partner with the Admissions and Advancement teams to support Upper School enrollment and retention.
Meet with prospective families when requested.
Assist prospective families in understanding the school’s academic and Christian philosophy.
Help communicate the strengths of the Upper School program to prospective families.
Monitor student retention concerns and work with administrators to address issues that could affect enrollment.
Participate in open houses, parent meetings, information sessions, and other admissions events as requested.
Attend significant school events, such as Open Houses, Graduation, Award ceremonies, service projects, and so forth.
The Principal should maintain a visible presence on campus and at important Upper School events.
 

Specific Weekly/Daily Responsibilities

 

 

Daily

Monitor student arrival, transitions, and general campus culture.
Address student discipline and behavioral concerns.
Respond to parent and faculty concerns.
Review attendance and significant student issues.
Check in with faculty and address immediate needs.
Observe classrooms as schedule permits.
Communicate urgent matters to the Head of School.
Pray with and for students and faculty.
Weekly

Conduct classroom observations.
Review academic and disciplinary concerns.
Meet with counselors/academic personnel regarding students needing intervention.
Conduct or participate in faculty meetings.
Review upcoming events and scheduling concerns.
Communicate important information to Upper School faculty.
Follow up with parents regarding unresolved student concerns.
Review student attendance and chronic absenteeism/tardiness.
Monitor students on academic or behavioral probation.
Monthly:

·         Monitors Upper School student academic progress and character development (i.e., track low grades of students by meeting with teachers)

·         Performs teacher walk-throughs and mentor teachers on how to improve classically

Review curriculum pacing and academic concerns.
Review student enrollment/retention concerns.
Evaluate Upper School events and programs.
·         Performs fire drills (1 per month) and lock down and shelter in place drills (1 per semester)

·         Ensures compliance with uniforms, writing up students and teachers as necessary, by performing unannounced uniform checks (1 per month)

·         Attends Security Committee meetings

·         Reviews and approves fieldtrips so fieldtrips are staggered and varied

·         Oversees clubs and ensures that they are meeting on a regular basis

·         Oversees service project and records service hours

·         Oversees fine arts events

 

Annual:

Assist in hiring and onboarding faculty.
·         Performs staff observations: Informal (2 per year), Formal (1 per year)

Oversees/coordinates main events for the Upper School, such as orientation, service events, social events, etc.
Helps with planning and implementation of the Upper School curricula both vertically and horizontally
Develop/revise the master schedule.
Review Upper School policies and procedures.
Assist with annual faculty professional development.
Evaluate student-life programs.
Review graduation requirements and student progress.
Participate in graduation planning and execution.
Coordinates the ordering of Upper School general supplies, textbooks, and equipment through the Department Heads
Plans Retreat
Helps students plan Senior Trip and associated fundraising
Oversees the appearance of the Upper School and Campus
Monitors and improves culture of the Upper School
Assist with accreditation requirements.
Participate in strategic planning.
Help develop the Upper School calendar.