2026-2027 Opening: Principal at St. Peter Claver Catholic School

ABOUT ST. PETER CLAVER CATHOLIC SCHOOL

St. Peter Claver Catholic School (1060 Central Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55104) is a Kindergarten through 8th Grade Catholic school in the Rondo area of Saint Paul with a rich heritage rooted in African American culture. Inspired by our Catholic identity, SPC is a community where faith is lived, culture is celebrated, and every scholar is empowered to thrive. As a member of the Ascension Catholic Academy (ACA) consortium, SPC benefits from centralized leadership and governance that supports both excellence and sustainability.

THE ROLE

The Principal serves as the head of the school, responsible for scholar learning, wellness, faith, and the operations of the school. The Principal is the instructional and cultural leader who, in alignment with ACA systems and leaders, leads the school’s strategy for achieving school goals and ensuring continuous improvement. The principal will work with the administrative team to foster a supportive environment where teachers are empowered to grow professionally, deliver high-quality instruction, and drive student achievement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Catholic Identity and Faith Leadership:
  • Actively lead and model the school’s Catholic identity and values in all aspects of school life.
  • Support the integration of Catholic teachings across the curriculum and school activities.
  • Collaborate with the administrative team to lead the school in faith formation for students and staff, including facilitating prayer, liturgical celebrations, and other faith-based activities.
  • Ensure that the school and Ascension Catholic Academy’s mission is reflected in the relationships, teaching practices, and overall atmosphere of the school.

• Instructional Leadership:
  • Lead the process of driving student achievement and teacher practice in alignment with grade-level standards, the school’s curriculum, and Ascension Catholic Academy’s Teacher Competencies.
    • Conduct classroom observations and lesson internalization reviews, providing direct coaching, feedback and professional development for teachers.
    • Lead professional development sessions and/or small-team professional learning communities approximately 2x each week.
    • Analyze classroom and school-wide data and build action plans that improve student achievement and instructional practices.
    • Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the school staff.
  • Work with the admin team to ensure strong academic operations, including academic partnerships, assessment coordination, intervention and tutoring programming, etc.
  • Makes mission driven and data informed decisions regarding scholar learning and achievement that promote a culture of continuous improvement

• School Culture and Wellness Leadership:
  • Collaborate with teachers, families, and the administrative team to create a school environment that supports and cares for the whole child as a beloved child of God.
  • Build positive relationships with scholars, parents, and community partners to promote their engagement in the school’s mission and scholar success.
  • Lead and respond through a trauma-informed lens while maintaining high expectations and incorporating restorative practices where appropriate.
  • Design and execute proactive school-wide culture systems and structures to build a strong school-wide culture and climate, and ensure that limited time is spent on reactive scholar discipline.
  • Design and support teachers in understanding process and roles in scholar support, social-emotional learning, and behavioral intervention
  • Lead the response to high-level student culture and discipline challenges and family concerns.

• Operational Leadership and Emergency Management:
  • Collaborate with the administrative team to manage the daily operations of the school, including and not limited to scheduling, staffing, communication, events, and student services.
  • Collaborate with the administrative team to coordinate student activities, events, and initiatives to promote student engagement and leadership.
  • Lead and serve as the key point of contact in the event of emergencies or crises, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff.

The responsibilities listed above are representative responsibilities intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be a full list of responsibilities and qualifications required of the position. More detailed listing of duties and tasks may be outlined in supplemental documents. Assigned responsibilities may change, as the needs of the Ascension Catholic Academy change.

Guiding Principles of Ascension Catholic Academy

The successful candidate will align with ACA's core principles:

Benefits Overview:

Ascension Catholic Academy provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees’ health, financial security, and work-life balance. Our benefits include medical and dental insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents, with options for a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), depending on the chosen health plan. Employees receive life insurance with the option for supplemental coverage, as well as long-term disability protection. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% employer match for retirement planning. Full benefit details, terms, and conditions are outlined in Ascension’s Employee Handbook and plan documents, available upon request. Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on employment status and length of service.

Starting Salary: $105,000 annually

• Starting salary is determined by the candidate's previous years of principal experience
• Ascension Catholic Academy follows a structured step-and-lane salary schedule
• The final compensation package will be based on verified experience and educational credentials

Ascension Catholic Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 5 years of previous classroom teaching or leadership experience. Previous experience as a principal or assistant principal is highly preferred.
• Commitment to quality Catholic education and the integration of Catholic identity and values into all aspects of school life.
• Enthusiasm for leading through change and transition, setting a positive tone, modeling a growth mindset, and remaining open and flexible.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in a catholic urban setting.
• Commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work a full-time schedule of 40+ hours per week, including attendance at required school events (graduation, holiday programs, and other activities as deemed necessary by supervisor)
• Able to attend school-related activities outside of traditional school hours, such as graduation, holiday programs, family events and any other programs deemed necessary by supervisor
• Sustained mobility to move throughout classroom and school environments for extended periods
• Ability to use stairs
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and perform physical tasks required in an educational setting
• Full sensory capabilities including ability to speak clearly, see, hear, and respond effectively to students, staff, and administrators at all times
• Ability to fulfill all commitments of the educational program throughout the school year

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with documented disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Minnesota Human Rights Act.