Principal

Position Title: Principal

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports to: Pastor /President

Position Objective

St. Joseph Catholic Academy is seeking a Full-Time Elementary Principal to serve at St. Francis Xavier School in St. Joseph, Missouri. This position is to serve as the spiritual, educational, and administrative leader of a Catholic school. The principal ensures a Christ-centered learning environment rooted in Catholic teaching, academic excellence, and the holistic formation of every student and staff member. In partnership with parents as the primary educators of their children, the principal fosters a strong school-home relationship that supports faith development and academic growth. This position upholds diocesan policies, fosters community engagement, and oversees the daily operations of the school in collaboration with the pastor, president, and the Catholic Schools Office.

Essential Duties

• Coordinate faith-based initiatives that promote Catholic identity and spirituality among students, staff, and families.
• Collect and analyze school/student data to evaluate effectiveness and inform improvement plans.
• Organize and lead efforts for school accreditation in alignment with the Missouri Non-Public Schools Accreditation Association standards.
• Ensure all staff meet the required certifications and engage in faith formation and professional growth opportunities.
• Assist in curriculum planning, instruction, and assessment to align with diocesan and state standards.
• Facilitate annual assessment programs (e.g. RISE, iReady, ACT).
• Implement programs and curriculum as directed by the Catholic School Office and the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph.
• Prepare and submit required diocesan, state, and other administrative reports accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with applicable guidelines and contributing to the effective operation of the school.
• Update and oversee the implementation of the school budget and strategic plan.
• Build collaborative relationships with staff, parents, parish, and broader community.
• Recruit, screen, and enroll students to maintain adequate class sizes and enrollment numbers for sustainability.
• Facilitate the effective engagement of volunteers to support the mission and operational needs of the school.
• Maintain all required documentation, records, and plans in compliance with diocesan, state, and federal regulations.
• Ensure all school staff and volunteers meet safe environment requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Lead with a vision rooted in Catholic mission and values.
• Problem-solve effectively and exercise sound judgment.
• Build collaborative relationships with faculty, families, and parish staff.
• Demonstrate efficient and effective organizational and implementation skills.
• Communicate clearly and with purpose in both written and verbal formats.
• Manage projects on time and within budget parameters.

Basic Qualifications

• Practicing Catholic with ethical standards, personal integrity, and conduct consistent with the morals and teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Master’s degree in Educational Leadership or related field.
• Missouri Administrative Certification (or ability to obtain).
• Minimum of 3 years of successful teaching experience, preferably in a Catholic school.
• Experience in school administration preferred.
• Strong skills in instructional leadership, personnel management, and communication.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, student information systems, and virtual platforms.

St. Joseph Catholic Academy offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental and vision plans, STD/LTD fully paid by the employer, retirement plans including a 403b plan and a defined benefit pension plan. Paid time off includes generous Vacation and Sick leaves, plus paid Holidays.

Note: All employees are required to consent to a background check, commit to our Code of Conduct policy, and complete online and in-person trainings prior to hire.