Principal-Catholic High School

Principal – Catholic High School

Future Opportunities Across the Nation | Part of OnTrack: ACELA’s Leadership Readiness Network

✝️ A Calling Rooted in Mission

At ACELA Solutions, we view the Catholic high school Principal not simply as an administrator, but as a mission leader—one charged with forming students in faith, knowledge, and character while shaping the educational and cultural heart of the school. Through OnTrack: ACELA’s Leadership Readiness Network, we are building a national bench of dynamic, faith-filled leaders discerning a call to serve as Principals across Catholic high schools nationwide. This is not a current job vacancy, but part of a proactive, relational initiative to identify and prepare exceptional leaders for anticipated future opportunities. If you’re discerning your next chapter of service—or seeking guidance and formation to prepare for a future leadership role—ACELA OnTrack offers a mission-rooted pathway into Catholic educational leadership.

🛤️ Why Join OnTrack: ACELA’s Leadership Readiness Network?

OnTrack is ACELA’s confidential, Gospel-centered initiative for current and aspiring Catholic school leaders. It connects faith-filled professionals to future leadership opportunities and provides:

• One-on-one discernment and career conversations
• Priority access to interim and permanent leadership roles, including many confidential and unadvertised searches entrusted to ACELA
• Optional executive coaching, mentoring, and leadership formation
• Invitations to Catholic leadership webinars, retreats, and peer cohorts
• A trusted community of mission-driven professionals ready to serve Catholic schools with clarity and conviction

Joining ACELA OnTrack ensures you are considered for key roles before they are posted publicly—and helps you prepare with confidence and purpose.

🧭 Principal Role Overview

The Principal is the spiritual, instructional, and cultural leader of the school community. As the day-to-day leader on campus, the Principal ensures strong academic programs, a safe and inclusive school culture, and deep fidelity to the Catholic mission. Partnering with the school’s President and senior leaders, the Principal shapes the educational experience, forms the faculty and students, and nurtures a vibrant Catholic identity in all aspects of school life. This role calls for a passionate, pastoral, and purpose-driven leader who can build trust, inspire excellence, and lead with clarity in the midst of change and opportunity.

🌟 Leadership Focus Areas

• Ensure the school's Catholic identity is woven into curriculum, culture, and community life
• Supervise academic programs, faculty development, and student performance
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and joyful learning environment centered on Gospel values
• Recruit, develop, and evaluate faculty and instructional staff
• Foster student formation in collaboration with campus ministry, guidance, and co-curricular programs
• Support enrollment and retention through relational engagement with families
• Collaborate with the President and other administrators on vision, strategy, and planning
• Serve as a visible, trusted presence in the school and larger community

🧠 Ideal Candidate Profile

Strong Catholic high school Principals come from varied professional paths—whether through classroom teaching, academic administration, or ministry leadership. Some may have advanced through diocesan roles, others through instructional coaching, or even community-based leadership. What they share in common is:

• A deep and demonstrated commitment to Catholic education
• The executive presence, instructional insight, and relational instincts needed to lead a school community
• The ability to build and sustain culture, mentor faculty, and walk with students in faith and learning
• A pastoral, collaborative approach rooted in servant leadership and Gospel-centered discernment

🎓 Typical Qualifications

• Practicing Catholic with a personal commitment to Church teaching and Catholic formation
• Master’s degree in educational leadership, curriculum, or related field
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in Catholic education, preferably with administrative or instructional leadership experience
• State or diocesan principal certification preferred
• Strong communication, supervisory, and academic leadership skills
• Experience in faculty evaluation, professional development, and school program design

📩 Start the Conversation

This isn’t just a job description—it’s an invitation to lead. If you feel called to serve as a Catholic high school Principal—today or in the future—consider joining OnTrack: ACELA’s Leadership Readiness Network. Through formation, coaching, and discernment, we help leaders like you prepare for your next opportunity with purpose and confidence.

Let’s begin the conversation.