Lower School Principal

Description

St. Paul Academy and Summit School seeks candidates for the position of Lower School Principal.

About St. Paul Academy and Summit School:

St. Paul Academy and Summit School (SPA) is a coeducational, non-sectarian, college preparatory day school serving more than 900 students in Pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Our three campuses are located approximately a mile apart in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving Pre-Kindergarten on our St. Catherine University Campus, Grades K-5 on our Goodrich Campus and Grades 6-12 on our Randolph Campus. The school draws students from St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout the surrounding suburbs.

Our mission—shaping the minds and the hearts of the people who will change the world— is a promise to our students and our families, and it pushes us to be thoughtful about everything we do. It inspires us to be our best and reminds us that we have the responsibility to respect the unique potential in every child. Our mission gives us purpose and represents our greatest aspirations and values. But most of all, it reflects our deep belief in the talents and capabilities of our students.

For additional information about the school’s curriculum, community, and culture, please visit our website at

About the Lower School

Goodrich Campus:

When you walk through the front doors of our Goodrich Campus, you'll immediately feel just how special a place the Lower School is for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. From the welcoming Living Room just inside the front door (often warmed by a cozy fire in the fireplace), to the bright and spacious classrooms and hallways adorned with student artwork and the five acres of open green space just outside our back door, the Lower School is designed around the academic, social, and emotional needs of young children. Our culture is defined by our warm and welcoming community, our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and our innovative curriculum.

Our Goodrich Campus is also the home of our Christopher Center Pathways program for students in grades 2-5. This program provides focused support and Orton-Gillingham instruction for students with a primary diagnosis of Dyslexia during literacy and math instruction.

St. Kate’s Campus:

SPA’s Pre-Kindergarten is a growing program, currently housed on St. Catherine’s University campus in their formal Early Childhood Center. With direct access to nature trails and our own fenced-in playground, our Pre-K provides a joyful, play-based educational experience for the youngest Spartans, ensuring their confidence and success when they transition to the Goodrich Campus.

Our 7:1 student/teacher ratio and team-teaching model are the building blocks of the Lower School experience, along with the Toolbox social/emotional program, which gives both children and adults a common language for community values and problem-solving.

For more information about SPA’s Lower School, please visit the Lower School section of our website.

Position Begins:

July 1, 2027

Status:

Full-time, 12 Months, Exempt

Department:

Instructional Admin, Lower School

Salary:

$145,000 - $165,000 per year

Position Description:

The Lower School Principal reports to the Head of School and oversees all programs involving students, faculty, curriculum, and operations in the Lower School. The Lower School Principal represents the interests of the Lower School on SPA’s Head’s Council, in Pre-K-12 committees focused on curriculum, social/emotional development, and safety and security, and in the wider SPA community.

The Lower School Principal is charged with comprehensive responsibility for leadership, vision, and oversight of all aspects of the Lower School community, programs, and personnel across two campuses, serving approximately 250 students. The Lower School Leadership team includes the Assistant Principal, Counselor, Learning Specialist, Christopher Center Pathways Coordinator, Pre-Kindergarten Coordinator, and Adventure Kids Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for the Lower School and maintain congruence between the school’s mission and all activities of the Lower School.
• Serve as the educational leader of the Lower School, responsible for day-to-day operations and decision-making, including implementation of School policies, procedures, and practices.
• Create a well-rounded, comprehensive learning environment that supports the developmental needs of Lower School students.
• Work with the Assistant Principal, Pre-K-12 Director of Academic Programs, and Academic Counsel to oversee the Lower School curriculum and promote coherence and consistency across grade levels.
• Hire, supervise, evaluate, and support the professional growth of Lower School faculty and staff.
• Work with the Assistant Principal to hire and manage substitute teacher needs.
• Maintain a collegial, collaborative culture among faculty and staff and lead regular faculty meetings.
• Serve as the chief articulator—to students, parents, faculty, other divisions, and the wider community—of the Lower School’s vision, programs, policies, expectations, achievements, culture, and community. Work in partnership with the Assistant Principal on student conduct and disciplinary matters, communicating proactively and positively with families and manage parent questions and concerns.
• Work with the student support team to support student academic and social-emotional development and to develop action plans.
• Manage the Lower School budget in conjunction with the school’s business office.
• Serve on the Head’s Council and other school committees as assigned.
• Coordinate with the Director of Operations and Security regarding LS facilities, security, and operations.
• Lead and coordinate community events, including special assemblies, faculty meetings, parent meetings, parent coffee chats, new student/new parent orientation meetings, and looking ahead meetings.
• Supervise Lower School Leadership Team members
• Participate in and lead, as needed, the hiring process of other administrators in the Pre-K-12 program.
• Travel to the Pre-K campus and 6-12 campus at least weekly for meetings and check-ins.

Benefits:

Benefits include a comprehensive health insurance plan through HealthPartners, Nice healthcare (a free virtual and in-person health plan), dental insurance, vision insurance, life and disability insurance, generous paid time off, and free lunch during the school year. The retirement plan is through TIAA and has a generous matching contribution. The School offers a robust program of professional development, career growth, and leadership opportunities. Tuition remission is also available for children of employees, as well as complimentary before and after-school care.

SPA is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff, and maintaining a workplace culture in which all are treated equitably.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Five to ten years of lower/elementary experience, with school administrative experience preferred.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous, and complex tasks and projects efficiently and effectively.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and effectiveness with diverse constituencies.

Desired Personal Characteristics:

• Personal integrity and strong moral and ethical character.
• Love of children and deep understanding of child development.
• Enthusiasm and the ability to motivate others.
• Flexible, adaptable, persistent, and proactive.
• Approachable, accessible, and visible.
• Strong organization and planning skills.