SY - Principal - Our Lady Snows - Garfield Ridge - Vic. III

Principal Prospectus 2025

The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency.

The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.

The Elementary School Principal, as a lay minister, is the religious, instructional, and community leader of the local Catholic school. The principal oversees the implementation of the strategic goals of the school, collaborating with the local school board, faculty, and other key stakeholders. The Principal is a representative of the Archbishop of Chicago, effectuating his ministry of Catholic education and the religious teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church at the level of the local school.

The elementary school principal is hired by the pastor and accountable to him or the juridic person for the operation of the school. The principal is expected to abide by the established policies and procedures of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Office of Catholic Schools, and the directives of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools. The principal participates in the annual performance review defined by the Office of Catholic Schools.

Our Lady of the Snows is a faith-filled Catholic school serving students and families from Central Stickney, Garfield Ridge, and Archer Heights. Rooted in academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service, the school fosters a welcoming environment where students thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. As part of the Big Shoulders Fund network, the school benefits from strong support and resources and maintains a robust social‑emotional learning (SEL) program supporting the whole child.

The Principal serves as a spiritual leader, collaborating with faculty, families, and parish leadership to strengthen school culture, support student achievement, oversee operations, and uphold the mission of Catholic education.

The principal serves the school in a professional manner and acts in accordance with Catholic doctrinal and moral teachings. The principal ensures that the school is integral to the mission of evangelization of the parish/archdiocese by giving witness to Gospel living, spiritual and educational development, and a deepening of the faith in all members of the local community.

• Promotes and facilitates an environment which fosters the Catholic identity of the school.
• Ensures that the faculty is well established, able to teach and witness to the Catholic faith, and meets all catechetical requirements.
• Fosters a positive, welcoming school culture that encourages Christian treatment and communication amongst stakeholders.
• Encourages active participation of stakeholders in prayer, liturgies, service, and the greater life of the parish.
• Promotes parent/guardian partnerships in advancing the mission of the school and the ministry of Catholic education.
• Models professionalism and Catholic values.

• Ensures all students are engaged in appropriate and rigorous academic learning.
• Ensures that instruction meets archdiocesan standards.
• Oversees the recruitment, onboarding, development, and evaluation of all teachers and staff.
• Develops and implements school improvement goals.
• Ensures accuracy of student performance and that assessment data is utilized to promote quality teaching and learning.
• Fosters practices to ensure quality learning for students of diverse backgrounds, including various socio‑economic groups, students with defined learning needs, and English language learners.
• Oversees co‑curricular activities (extended school day, sports, activity clubs) ensuring that the programs are compliant with local and archdiocesan policies.