Principal

St. Joseph Catholic School is seeking a mission-driven, faith-filled PreK8 Principal to lead our Catholic School for the 20262027 school year. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced educational leader who is deeply committed to academic excellence, Catholic formation, and the cultivation of virtue through the vision of education rooted in truth, beauty, and goodness.

As the academic and spiritual leader of the school, the Principal will work directly with the Pastor to advance the mission of St. Joseph Catholic School and the Archdiocese of Detroit, fostering a joyful, disciplined, and Christ-centered culture where students, faculty, and families thrive.

St. Joseph Catholic School is a Catholic elementary school serving students in Pre-K through Grade 8. Our school integrates rigorous academics with faithful Catholic formation to cultivate wisdom, virtue, and holiness in every child.

With small class sizes, strong family partnerships, integration of the Catholic faith into the everyday life of each student, and a deeply supportive parish community, our students consistently demonstrate outstanding academic growth while being formed as disciples of Jesus Christ. Catholic identity is the foundation of everything we do.

The Principal serves as the academic, instructional, operational, and spiritual leader of the school. This leader must be committed to the mission of Catholic education and possess a strong understanding of classical pedagogy, child development, faculty leadership, and faith formation.

The ideal candidate will be a faithful Catholic leader who embraces the Church's teachings, inspires excellence in teachers and students, and leads with wisdom, humility, and conviction. This position is hired by and directly accountable to the Pastor.

• Mission & Spiritual Leadership
• Lead the school in faithful alignment with the mission of St. Joseph Catholic School and the Archdiocese of Detroit
• Serve as the spiritual and instructional leader of the school community
• Model and uphold the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Catholic Church
• Foster a culture of prayer, virtue, reverence, and Catholic identity throughout school life
• Promote a school culture rooted in the Catholic pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness
• Support frequent school liturgies, prayer, sacramental preparation, and service opportunities
• Academic & Instructional Leadership
• Lead and oversee all PreK8 instructional programs
• Ensure curriculum implementation in accordance with school and Archdiocesan standards
• Support teachers in lesson planning, instructional preparation, assessment, and classroom management
• Champion the educational path of the school, including strong literacy, humanities, and virtue-based formation
• Monitor academic performance and student growth
• Facilitate enrichment and extended learning opportunities
• Conduct annual faculty evaluations and instructional coaching
• Faculty & Community Leadership
• Hire, mentor, supervise, and evaluate faculty and staff
• Lead all faculty and staff meetings
• Build a collaborative, mission-centered faculty culture
• Communicate regularly with teachers, families, parish staff, and the Pastor
• Partner closely with parish leadership and stakeholders on school initiatives
• Support professional development and ongoing formation of staff
• Operations & Student Safety
• Maintain a safe, orderly, and secure learning environment
• Oversee student attendance and academic records
• Ensure compliance with school, diocesan, and state policies
• Implement and maintain safety and emergency procedures
• Maintain confidentiality and professional discretion in all school matters

Required:

• Bachelor's degree required (Master's degree preferred)
• Valid Michigan teaching and administrative certification, or eligibility to obtain
• Demonstrated experience in educational leadership or school administration
• Knowledge of elementary instructional methods and child development
• Strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills
• Successful completion of criminal background check
• Compliance with Safe Environment requirements
• Completion of Protecting God's Children training through the Archdiocese of Detroit
• Must maintain all state licensure and professional development requirements

Preferred:

• Practicing, fully initiated Catholic in communion with the Church
• Intentionally living the sacramental life and the five precepts of the Church
• Experience in Catholic schools and/or classical education
• Experience leading faculty development and school improvement initiatives
• Familiarity with multi-age elementary settings and sacramental preparation

The ideal candidate is:

• A faithful Catholic witness
• A mission-first leader who inspires others
• A champion of Catholic education
• Deeply committed to forming students in virtue, intellect, and holiness
• A collaborative leader who supports teachers and families
• A strong communicator with sound judgment
• Passionate about preserving and advancing Catholic identity in education

Strong Catholic identity with frequent sacramental opportunities

Catholic curriculum rooted in truth, beauty, and goodness

Small class sizes and personalized instruction

Supportive parish and school community

Opportunity to lead a mission-driven school with lasting impact

Collaborative faculty dedicated to excellence and faith formation

Apply Today

If you are a faithful Catholic educator and visionary leader called to shape the next generation of students in faith and academic excellence, we encourage you to apply. Please send your resume, cover letter, and professional references to Grace Ledbetter at lumenchristimsd@gmail.com.