Principal; St. Francis School

Overview

Position
:
Principal (2026-27 School Year)

Location: St. Francis School (Cleveland, OH)

Type: Full-Time

Partnership Schools are accepting applications for the role of Principal ncis School for the 2026-27 school year. The ideal candidate will share an unwavering commitment to student achievement and an appreciation and respect for Catholic culture, identity, and values. The principal will build and maintain a school culture of high expectations, instructional excellence, and rich Catholic identity. Successful candidates will also be supportive thought-partners in network-level curricular implementation and assessment decisions will leverage proven management practices across the network and will glean insight from our nationally-recognized partner organizations (Teach like a Champion, Amplify, Core Knowledge, Eureka/Great Minds, etc).

The ideal candidate will: report directly to the Superintendent of Partnership Cleveland. Reporting to the Principal will be the Pre-K to 8th-grade teaching faculty and other school-based staff.

• Facilitating the implementation of common, rigorous PreK-8th grade curricula as well as the Partnership instructional model to ensure that all teachers have the tools they need to help students achieve at the highest levels
• Building on the rigorous traditions of urban Catholic education and focus on faith formation and development of the whole child – developing self-worth, moral character, a love of learning, and a sense of civic responsibility in all students
• Creating a calm, safe, supportive, and faith-filled learning environment where students are engaged and respectful of each other and of adults in the building
• Nurturing family partnerships
• Managing the process of academic reporting and recording, including grade reports, transcripts, permanent records, progress reports, parent-teacher conferences, and academic recognition
• Maintaining a working knowledge of and familiarity with Ohio educational standards and requirements
• Supporting recruitment of teachers unwavering in their commitment to student achievement and with an appreciation and respect for Catholic culture, identity, and values
• Working to retain faculty and other instructional and extracurricular staff who are best aligned to the mission of the school
• Working together with the Partnership team and the school operations manager to ensure that operations are efficient and effective, accounting and budgets are accurate and up-to-date, facilities are maintained and enrollment is maximized
• Working with school- and network-based Operations teams to ensure that the recruitment and retention of students and families are maximized each year
• Working together with the Partnership team to support board and development activities
• Assuring that the implementation of the Archdiocesan catechetical curriculum meets all requirements necessary

• A deep respect for and commitment to preserving and building upon the legacy of urban Catholic education
• A relentless work ethic and a high degree of patience to push through difficult challenges
• Experience with data-driven assessments to achieve student academic goals and inform instructional decisions and interventions
• Proven track record of setting classroom expectations and driving student achievement as a teacher, preferably in an urban classroom
• Demonstrated effective school leadership experience in working with students, teachers, parents, donors, and the community, preferably in a ‘gap-closing’ school
• Demonstrated ability to balance collaboration (with teachers, fellow principals, and network leadership and staff) with strong leadership and to set goals and build buy-in from teachers
• Knowledge of best practices and proven pedagogical techniques in urban education
• Demonstrated openness to feedback, and a willingness to be reflective in order to grow as an educator and the school-wide instructional leader
• Technological proficiency and adaptability
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Flexibility to multi-task, coupled with the ability to set priorities and follow through with results
• Relentlessness and willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure success
• Maturity, sense of humor, humility, and a “roll-up-my-sleeves” scrappy attitude

• An uncompromising belief that all students can learn
• At least four years of urban teaching experience with a track record of high achievement
• A bachelor’s degree from a competitive university is required, a master’s degree is preferred
• Successful experience leading adults and managing cultural change
• Respect for and appreciation of the Catholic faith and Catholic education; must respect and uphold Catholic social teaching
• Must pass a background check

The salary range for this position is $75,000-$100,000, commensurate with experience. Additionally, Partnership Schools offers a benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer organization that values diversity.