Head of School

Overview

Administrative Model

The Head of School and the Executive Director lead the administrative team at Chesterton Academy of Blessed Michael McGivney. This model of school administration is one of equality with both specific and shared responsibilities.

§The Head of School is responsible for internal operations, including the instructional leadership of the school, as well as hiring and supervision of instructional personnel, the curriculum, and student life.

§The Executive Director is responsible for the business aspects of the administration including finances, human resources, fundraising, strategic planning, public relations, and building facility.

These co-leaders share responsibilities for nurturing and maintaining the mission and traditions of the school, and ensuring fidelity to the Magisterium.

As a start-up school, we’re working towards the model outlined above. We have budgeted for a part-time Executive Director beginning in Year 2, and that role will gradually increase to a full-time Executive Director by Year 4. In the interim, the Board of Directors will fulfill the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Director.

Summary

The Head of School serves as the educational leader, responsible for managing the policies, regulations, and procedures to ensure that all students are supervised in a safe, learning environment that adheres to our Catholic identity and meets the approved curricula and mission of the school. The Head of School is responsible for the curriculum, instructional leadership of the school, hiring and supervision of instructional personnel, student life, discipline and related parent communication.

The Head of School must be a practicing Roman Catholic, possess the minimum of a Master’s Degree in Education Administration or related field, and demonstrate a commitment to Catholic secondary education. Significant teaching and secondary school administrative experience is required. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

A collaborative relationship between the Head of School and Executive director is a requirement. In addition to any teaching responsibilities, the duties of the Head of School include: (1) curriculum and academic excellence; (2) instruction; (3) student life and discipline; (4) parent communications; (5) student admissions; (6) guidance; (7) other school operations.

• Curriculum and Academic Excellence
  • Oversee adherence to Chesterton Schools Network (CSN) curriculum
  • Oversee implementation of changes to curriculum
  • Review results of student tests (CLT, PSAT, ACT, SAT)
  • Oversee school accreditation process and renewal per CSN guidelines
• Instruction
  • Oversee faculty hiring, evaluation, rehires, terminations
  • Conduct classroom observations for faculty members as part of evaluation process
• Student Life and Discipline
  • Ensure discipline policies are enforced, communicated
  • Oversee parent-led sports and extracurricular activities
  • Ensure effectiveness of virtue house and faculty mentor programs
  • Oversee academic and behavioral eligibility for extra-curricular activities
• Parent Communications
  • Send weekly Head of School Missive to parents or school newsletter
  • Meet with parents regarding student discipline and academic issues
• Admissions
  • Admit new students upon review of placement exam, student application materials, and meeting
  • Oversee transfer student process (curriculum, regulations, forms, financial)
  • Review placement tests and contact parents with remedial needs
  • Deliver presentations to prospective parents and students at selected school events
• Guidance
  • Coordinate standardized testing, college applications and transcript preparation
  • Communicate with colleges, universities and other post-high school programs
  • Promote various vocational opportunities
• Other School Operations
  • Oversee selection and evaluation of vendors (software, textbooks, other services)
• Teaching Responsibilities (as needed)

The Head of School maintains the following working relationships:

• The Head of School maintains a consultative, collaborative relationship with the Executive Director.
• The Head of School maintains a supervisory relationship with faculty and other…