Job Details

Girard College is a full-scholarship boarding school that fosters intellectual curiosity, social development and emotional growth in academically focused students from underserved communities. We ensure every student the opportunity and the means to achieve excellence and preparation for advanced education through purposeful academic and residential programs.

 

Position Overview

 

The High School Principal is responsible for setting and maintaining the highest academic and personal standards to prepare students for successful matriculation and performance in post-secondary institutions. This leader is a strategic thinker, instructional expert, and community builder, ensuring that teaching, learning, and student development are aligned with Girard College’s mission and core values.

 

The High School Principal is an integral member of the student experience leadership team, reports directly to the Vice President of Student Experience, and collaborates closely with the Elementary/Middle School Principal, Assistant Principal(s), and other school leaders to ensure academic coherence, equity, and student success across all grade levels.  The start date for this position is July 1, 2025.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Academic Leadership & Curriculum Development

• Lead the implementation of an academically rigorous, culturally responsive, and future-ready curriculum that aligns to the vision of the Office of Student Experience and prepares students for college and career success.
• Collaborate with the Elementary/Middle School Principal to ensure vertical curriculum alignment, smooth student transitions from middle to high school, and a consistent academic vision across all grades.
• Lead the writing and revision of a defined scope and sequence for all HS course offerings and design of new course requirements, according to academic needs and subject to the approval of the Office of Student Experience.
• Oversee the development, refinement, and documentation of high school course offerings, ensuring alignment with PA state standards and Girard College’s mission.
• Ensure the appropriate use of instructional technology and its integration within the academic curriculum
• Implement a standardized testing program that follows the annual testing calendar and assesses proficiency in: ELA, Math, Science and French/Spanish.
• Analyze relevant data to assess student learning, evaluate instructional practice and action plan for the necessary educator supports needed to improve student outcomes.
• Lead the interim and quarterly report card process, ensuring timely and accurate grade reporting that reflects student performance, growth, and feedback for families.
• Oversee the selection and or implementation of summer academic programs, ensuring enrichment and remediation opportunities for students.
• When needed, lead the collaborative evaluation and review of proposed curriculum, software and instructional resources to provide recommendations to the Office of Student Experience.

Instructional & Faculty Development

• Directly oversee and manage the High School Assistant Principal, the Director of Post-Secondary Success and the Academic Counselor, ensuring alignment with school priorities and supporting leadership development.
• Supervise and support the High School Administrative Assistant, ensuring efficient school operations and administrative effectiveness.
• Hire, evaluate, coach, and develop high school faculty to ensure high-quality instruction and continuous professional growth.
• Facilitate cross-divisional collaboration with the Elementary/Middle School Principal to ensure continuity of instructional strategies, student experiences, and school culture.
• Prepare and lead high-impact professional development and collaborative planning sessions, fostering data-driven instruction.
• Lead teachers in interpreting and using student achievement data to inform instructional practices and instructional improvements.
• Conduct formal evaluations of faculty performance as outlined in the union contract based on evidence of teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes.
• Oversee progressive discipline as outlined in the union contract (as appropriate) which includes issuing counseling statements, designing professional improvement plans and facilitating performance conversations with the human resources, the employee, union representatives and executive leadership.

 

Student Success & College Readiness

• Oversee and enhance post-secondary programs (school visits, dual enrollment, seminar programming, post-secondary planning/application, career exploration, alumni persistence, GECE-PI, etc.) in collaboration with the Director of Post-Secondary Success to ensure students are college- and career-ready.
• Partner with the Student Success Team to implement and support Girard’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to provide academic, behavioral, and social-emotional interventions that drive student success.
• Oversee the implementation and enforcement of the student attendance policy, ensuring compliance and intervention strategies for at-risk students.
• Partner with Health Services to ensure students receive the well-being support they need.
• Supervise teacher stipend positions (e.g., Lunch Duty, Yearbook Advisor, Senior Prom Coordinator) to ensure deliverables and expectations are met.

 

School Culture & Student Life

• Build and sustain a positive, inclusive, and high-expectations culture that promotes student leadership, responsibility, and character development.
• Maintain and enforce a restorative discipline model, working closely with the High School Assistant Principal to enforce the Code of Conduct.
• Serve as a member of the Scholarship Review Board contributing to student support and retention efforts.
• Lead weekly community meetings that reinforce academic and behavioral expectations, promoting Girard College’s core values.
• Partner with the Athletic Director to monitor and enforce academic eligibility requirements for student-athletes, ensuring that students meet and exceed academic expectations while participating in athletic activities.
• Lead the annual planning of program-critical experiences, including the 9th grade trip to North Carolina Outward Bound and the World Language Trip.
• Partner with the GC Alumni Association (GCAA) to promote alumni engagement through tradition-focused trips and activities.
• Support the residential and instructional staff to ensure a robust after-school program that includes athletics, arts, community service, and academic enrichment.
• Collaborate with Dining Services to ensure students are demonstrating Girard’s behavior expectations while in the Dining Hall.

Required Experience & Skills

• 6 years of leadership experience in an academic setting, including supervising and coaching teachers.
• Proven track record of academic excellence, instructional leadership, and student success in a diverse learning environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and equity, both personally and professionally.
• Experience working with teachers to develop and implement a 21^st century college preparatory academic program (including dual enrollment, internships, service learning, work-ready skills, and cognitive development)
• Experience in restorative discipline practices, managing and documenting student behavior in a supportive, developmentally appropriate way.
• Proficiency in using student achievement data to inform instruction, curriculum development, and educator growth.
• Strong budget management experience, particularly in an independent or residential school setting.
• Ability to work effectively with a unionized faculty and navigate labor relations.
• Experience in public and private school settings is preferred.
• Previous experience working in a residential school environment strongly preferred.