St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Position Title:  Upper School Principal FLSA Status:  Full-time, 12 Months 

Department:  Instructional Admin, Upper School     FTE:  1.0

Supervisor: Head of School                                    Employment Classification:  Exempt

Date Revised:  11/3/2022             Direct Reports: Academic Dean, US Administrative Assistant, US Counselor  

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 920 students in kindergarten through grade 12. Our two campuses are located approximately a mile apart in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving 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 eastern and western 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 www.spa.edu.

About the Upper School: 

The Upper School is home to students in Grades 9-12 and is characterized by advanced inquiry, lively discussion, deep engagement with topics, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students develop the habits and relationships that will carry them through high school and into the world of college and beyond. The Upper School's rigorous academic curriculum and seminar-based learning model is complemented by a network of support that includes teachers, advisors, college counselors, and resources for both academic and social/emotional well-being.

For more information about the Upper School, please visit the Upper School section of our website.

Position Begins: July 2023

Status: Full-time, 12 Months, Exempt

Department: Instructional Admin, Upper School

Position Summary

The Upper School Principal reports to the Head of School. The Upper School Principal is charged with the comprehensive responsibility for leadership, vision, and oversight of all aspects of the Upper School community, programs and personnel. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Articulating vision and developing all aspects of the Upper School program and culture.
• Hiring, mentoring, and evaluating all full-time, part-time, and substitute teachers 
• Coordinating and collaborating with the US Athletic Director and Director of Athletics regarding US athletic programs; with College Counselors regarding college counseling programs; with Director of Operations regarding US facilities, security, and operations; Director of Technology regarding US academic technology.
• Leading and coordinating community events, including Commencement, special assemblies, faculty meetings, parent meetings including coffee chats, new student/new parent orientation meetings, and looking ahead meetings.
• Serving as the chief articulator--to students, parents, faculty, other divisions, and the wider community--of the Upper School’s programs, expectations, achievements, culture, and community.
• Works closely with the K-12 academic department chairs to oversee the Upper school program.
• Commitment to the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the ability to pursue it in meaningful ways;
• Serving on the US admission committee, Principals’ group, Leadership Team, K-12 Calendar Committee, Sabbatical Committee, K-12 Intercultural Life Committee, and other committees as needed. Representing SPA at MAIS/IMAC gatherings.
• Supervising US Counselors, Dean of Students, Academic Dean, and US Administrative Assistant.
• Participating in and leading, as needed, hiring process of other administrators in the K-12 program.
• Maintaining and allocating funds from the Upper School budget.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA degree required 
• MA degree preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including collaboration and communication with both colleagues and students, are required. 
• Candidates should support the mission of SPA, the vision of the Upper School, and be eager to join a professional community where openness to growth is the norm. 
• A collaborative style and approachable demeanor, and demonstrated ability to establish rapport and trusting relationships with people from diverse identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Effective cross-cultural communication skills.  Able to operate effectively in diverse environments and interact successfully with people from widely varying backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including ability to interact with employees at all levels in a friendly and professional manner

SHAPING THE MINDS AND THE HEARTS OF

THE PEOPLE WHO WILL CHANGE THE WORLD