ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR ACADEMICS

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL HIGH SCHOOL

OLNEY, MARYLAND

www.olgchs.org

START DATE – JULY 1, 2025

Assistant Principal for Academics

MISSION STATEMENT

At Good Counsel, a Catholic high school sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers, we inspire our students to

excel, serve, and love.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School is searching for an Assistant Principal for Academics, who will

begin in July 2025. This Assistant Principal is responsible for the school schedule, course placement,

testing programs and student performance data while supervising the Registrar, Exam Coordinator, and

Front Office Staff. With the Assistant Principal for Curriculum & Instruction and the Assistant Principal

for Student Life, this role works closely with the Principal and other school leaders to manage Our Lady of

Good Counsel’s educational programs.

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School is a co-educational Catholic high school in Maryland, located

between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Good Counsel is dedicated to academic excellence, character

development, and a commitment to preparing students for lifelong success by providing a college

preparatory education rooted in the Catholic, Christian values of the Xaverian Brothers.

Serving the greater Washington metropolitan area for more than 60 years, Good Counsel was founded in

1958 by the Xaverian Brothers as a Catholic high school for boys in Wheaton, MD. After thirty years, the

school became co-educational in 1988 and continued to serve an expanding student body. Over the

decades at the Wheaton campus, enrollment continued to grow, as did the need for a larger, more modern

facility. In 2007, the school relocated to its current 51-acre campus in Olney, MD.

Today, with an enrollment of 1,300 students, Good Counsel is a highly visible and sought-after Catholic

and Independent high school locally and regionally. The diverse student body is evenly split by gender

with 55% students of color, and 21 international students. About 50% of students are Catholic and

students attend from multiple counties, including Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Howard Counties.

The school has 101 exceptional faculty members with 85% holding advanced degrees. For the 2024-25

school year, domestic tuition is set at $30,995 with approximately 45% of students receiving tuition

assistance.

Good Counsel is a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive Catholic community that inspires students to excel,

serve, and love. “In harmony, small things grow” is the motto of the Xaverian Brothers, and at Good

Counsel students not only grow but flourish. In our dynamic community parents and students form

enduring personal relationships with each other–and with their teachers, coaches, and advisors.

Relationships formed here deepen the sense of belonging that our graduates and families carry with them

well beyond their days at Good Counsel.

The school is fully accredited by the State of Maryland and dually accredited by the Association of

Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS) and the Middle States Association of Secondary Schools

and Colleges. Good Counsel has twice been named a “Blue Ribbon School of Excellence” by the U.S.

Department of Education. It is a member of the College Entrance Examination Board, the National

Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), and

the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMICS

As a Catholic school, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School’s academic programs are based upon and

inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Every effort is

made to foster a spirit and sense of community supported by a belief in the dignity and uniqueness of

everyone.

The Good Counsel curriculum is defined, yet flexible; students can choose a path that allows them to focus

on a certain field of study or explore a host of subjects, all while benefiting from a college preparatory

program. Teachers personalize the educational process and work with students at all levels of

development to support each student. Students challenge themselves in the classroom and explore

subjects of personal curiosity in courses such as Aerospace Engineering, American History at the

Crossroads, Latin, Bioethics, and Theater Production.

Good Counsel students find success in the school’s Advanced Placement courses and International

Baccalaureate Diploma program. For highly motivated students with diagnosed mild learning differences,

the highly sought-after Ryken Program offers a structured, small-group learning environment. The STEM

program is nationally recognized and introduces up to 40 students each year to engineering with its

hands-on, project-based curriculum called Project Lead the Way. Good Counsel has been recognized as a

“Distinguished Project Lead the Way School,” a distinction earned by only 2% of qualified schools

nationally. The 1:1 iPad program bridges a gap between the computer technology available in school

and out of school. Our students develop an appreciation for the deep learning that results when

technology is used effectively as part of their formal education.

With a 100% reported college matriculation, students leave Good Counsel prepared to succeed in the

world.

2024 Advanced Placement Calculus Score Data

Average score 4.49

100% of students scored a 3 or better

92% earned a 4 or a 5

2024 International Baccalaureate Data

31 IB diploma students earned a combined four-year scholarship of $7,078,256

108 scholarships offered to IB students

21 IB students accepted into Honors Programs

4.7 average exam score for diploma earners

2024 SAT Data

1414 average SAT score among the top 25% of students

2024 Project Lead The Way STEM National Data

20% of Good Counsel STEM students scored in the“Distinguished/Highest” range

82% of Good Counsel STEM students scored in the “Accomplished” second range

77% of our STEM students met the qualifications for college credit

AWARD-WINNING ARTS

Good Counsel offers an outlet for every artist to emerge. With programs in choral music, instrumental

music, visual arts, dance, and theater, Good Counsel has an outlet for every student to discover their

artistic side. The school brings students into contact with professional artists from each discipline in a

variety of ways, including workshops, mentorships, and community-based relationships that connect to

the world outside the classroom.

The school offers choral and instrumental music programs; dance classes in agility, balance, and strength;

classical dance techniques; jazz dance and modern dance; theater courses that allow students to explore

the depths of their talents in acting, directing, playwriting, and aspects of theater design; and visual arts

courses in art fundamentals, ceramics, drawing & painting, and AP Studio Art. In addition, Good Counsel

has the only marching band in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference with over 50 participants.

Good Counsel graduates have performed on Broadway and the big screen in award-winning movies like

The Color Purple. They have received Emmys for artistic and technical achievements. They are brilliant

jazz musicians, accomplished writers, and beloved comedians. Their notable talents shine bright and

provide a source of pride for all Falcons.

REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY RANKED ATHLETICS

Good Counsel’s top-ranked athletics program allows student-athletes to pursue their sports at a

competitive level. Nationally recognized as a premier athletics program, Good Counsel holds 75

Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) titles from the past decade alone. The 775 students who

join the Good Counsel Athletics’ 40 programs learn self-respect, self-discipline, and self-esteem. Most

importantly, they understand themselves better as they strive to live the Xaverian values on and off the

field.

Good Counsel graduates have won at the Penn Relays, played at the highest level of Division I athletics,

and traveled throughout the country to compete. They’ve even won gold in the Olympics, played in the

NFL, and competed on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. Their efforts bring honor to our school

and earn the respect and admiration of their opponents.

ROBUST SCHOOL LIFE

Good Counsel’s welcoming and enriching community extends beyond the classroom, the stage, and the

playing fields. The vibrant student life is evident in a range of cultural, academic, spiritual, and social

clubs available for students. With retreats, mission trips, and service opportunities, Good Counsel

students have countless opportunities to grow and experience the school’s values. The Office of Mission

and Identity is an important part of student life and integrates Good Counsel’s Catholic and Xaverian

mission and identity into day-to-day life.

Good Counsel offers students extracurricular and co-curricular activities through the club program. The

goals of the club program are to foster students’ exploration of their areas of interest and to build social

and leadership skills. Under the guidance of faculty advisers, students can choose from more than 50

different clubs, from robotics to cooking to service, and affinity groups, and they also have the opportunity

to create a new club or group if there is interest. Students are encouraged to participate in at least one

activity each year. Like our athletics and arts, students perform at a high level; the Speech and Debate

club has earned 17 consecutive Metro Titles.

MODERN STATE-OF-THE-ART CAMPUS

Good Counsel is located in Olney, MD. The campus is home to exceptional academic, arts, worship, and

athletic facilities constructed in 2007. This includes 12 science and technology labs; a 150-seat chapel; a

650 seat state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center (2016) including a dance studio; a library and new

teaching and learning center; two indoor gyms; a turf field; a running track; a baseball stadium with

batting cages; five practice fields; two weight rooms; and a comprehensive athletic training room. Good

Counsel will conduct a campaign planning study this fall with possible priorities including a STEM Center,

an Athletic and Wellness Center, and continuing to build the endowment.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Assistant Principal for Academics Include the Following:

• Embraces the mission of Good Counsel by upholding the school’s tradition of excellent

extracurricular pursuits, with a focus on the charism of the Xaverian Brothers

• Oversees and designs the school day master class schedule including managing all

• Leads the development of the school year calendar with the Principal and other Assistant

• Oversees, manages, and directs the student course placement process
• Oversees, manages and directs the course registration process
• Oversees, manages and directs all school testing programs
• Manages student performance data and provides reports and analysis to other school

leaders and program coordinators

• Overees, manages and directs summer school for make-up and original credit courses
• Maintains and manages process to update the student and faculty handbooks and school

day operational policies

• Manages the student athletic and activity eligibility process based on student academic

• Manages the process to review and ensure student academic integrity
• Serves as a member of the Academic Council.
• Teaches one course
• Assists the Principal and Department Chairs with formal observations of teachers.
• Assists the Principal with student orientations and teacher orientations.
• Meets regularly to plan and review school-related events and issues.
• Shares in the duty of attending and supervising various after-school functions.
• Assists in the Admissions Open House and recruitment programs.
• Assists the Principal with the interviewing and hiring of new teachers.

• Performs other duties assigned by the Principal or the President

Supervises the following staff:

• Registrar
• Exam Coordinator
• Front Office Staff

QUALIFICATIONS AND HOW TO APPLY

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Embrace the school’s tradition of excellent academics, strong spiritual formation, competitive

and the importance of faith and family.

• Have professional experiences at rigorous, high-profile college preparatory schools, including

• Be a skilled, clear, and effective communicator who writes and speaks passionately and

• Have experience working with systems to improve student success and support faculty.
• Be highly transparent and relatable to teachers, staff, parents, and students.
• Be comfortable in a highly visible school environment, internally and externally.
• Possess an understanding and appreciation for the diplomacy required to work with various

constituent groups.

A Successful Candidate Must:

• Be a practicing Catholic with the desire for visible and active participation in the faith life of the

• Robustly uphold our Catholic identity and educational tradition while embracing the principles

• Hold a Master’s degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field.
• Have program management and coordination experience in a school setting,
• Have at least five years of high school teaching experience at a Catholic or independent school.
• Have demonstrated experience and/or commitment to serving a school community that is

culturally, religiously, and socioeconomically diverse.

• Be self-motivated, possess superior organizational and communication skills, and a sense of

SALARY RANGE: $110,000-$130,000 based on experience

BENEFITS

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Paid time off and sick leave.
• Retirement plan with matching contributions.
• Tuition benefits for children of employees.
• Free daily lunch provided by Sage Dining Services.
• Reimbursement for continuing education and professional development.
• Generous holiday leave.
• Access to mental health care/counseling.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Employee discounts for Good Counsel summer camps.

To apply, send the following three documents to employment@olgchs.org

• A cover letter outlining why your background and experience qualify you to be Our Lady of

Xaverian Brothers school career opportunity.

• A resume summarizing your education and career experience.
• A list of five references; these references will not be contacted until later in the search process

and the candidate's permission will be sought before contacting any reference.

Applications will be accepted through March 24, 2025, with a priority application review

deadline of March 12. Candidate application materials will be reviewed as they are

received. Initial interviews are anticipated to start in early April.

NON DISCRIMINATION:

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School does not discriminate in its educational and employment policies

based on race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. The

following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy: Evelyn

Nicholas, enicholas@olgchs.org.

THE MISSION OF A XAVERIAN BROTHERS-SPONSORED SCHOOL

Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools serve the Catholic Church’s educational mission by forming young

people to be faith-filled contemplative leaders who address the evolving needs of our world. Informed by

our Xaverian and gospel values, our schools seek to educate the whole student by nurturing each person’s

unique giftedness. Xaverian students model Christ by utilizing their talents to respect the diversity of

God’s creation, seek justice, and love their neighbor.

CALLS OF A XAVERIAN BROTHERS-SPONSORED SCHOOL

The call to embrace our Catholic identity and Xaverian charism as partners in the church’s mission of

evangelization within its ministry of education. The call to spirituality flows from a contemplative stance,

which is formed by God’s presence in the common, ordinary, unspectacular flow of everyday life. The call

is to be formed in the spiritual values of simplicity, humility, compassion, zeal, and trust. The call for a

challenging academic and cocurricular program that promotes the development of the whole person and

their unique giftedness. The call to recognize our Christian responsibility to work for justice and peace by

responding to the needs of others. The call to build diverse and inclusive communities that encourage

enduring personal relationships through an understanding of culture and perspectives.