Head of Lower School

DovetailED Talent Sourcing; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School in Austin, Texas, seeks an experienced Head of Lower School to lead PreK-3 to 4th grade with intellectual engagement and spiritual grounding.

The Head will partner with the Head of School, faculty, and families to strengthen academic excellence and belonging across divisions, beginning July 1, 2027.

Leadership should be warm, clear, and collaborative, guiding the division through thoughtful growth and continued development of the whole child.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Education or related field.
• Significant experience as elementary school educator and leader.
• Experience supporting Catholic identity and social-emotional learning integrated into school life.
• Warm, visible, relational leadership style with clear communication.
• Strategic thinker capable of managing daily details during growth.
• Advocate for children and partners to families.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, instructional, and operational leadership for the Lower School.
• Collaborate with Head of School, senior leadership, faculty, and families to advance academic excellence.
• Ensure a joyful Catholic learning community where students are known, supported, and challenged.
• Lead change thoughtfully and build confidence during growth periods.
• Promote development of the whole child through formation of character and faith.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Change management

Education

Master's Degree in Education or related field

Job description

Head of Lower School Opportunity Statement

About the School

St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School is an outstanding co-educational Independent Catholic school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in Austin, Texas. The Lower School comprises PreK 3-4th grades, the Middle School houses grades 5-8, and the Upper School contains grades 9-12. We are distinguished by our Catholic tradition, a

welcoming and diverse community, excellent academic programs, and a variety of

extracurricular activities. Teachers and staff at St. Michael's Prep further serve as role models

that inspire students to think critically, reflect, explore, and apply their faith concretely to

their lives. We are one community with three divisions, united in our commitment

to put students first as we educate them in mind, body, and spirit.

Position Summary

St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School is entering an exciting period of thoughtful academic and programmatic growth. The next Head of Lower School will join a strong leadership team and help shape the continued development of a Lower School experience that is intellectually engaging, spiritually grounded, developmentally responsive, and deeply attentive to the formation of the whole child. St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School seeks an experienced, mission-centered, and visionary educator to serve as Head of Lower School beginning July 1, 2027. The Head of Lower School provides strategic, instructional, and operational leadership for the Lower School, ensuring that each student is known, supported, challenged, and formed within a joyful Catholic learning community. The Head works closely with the Head of School, senior leadership, faculty, and families to advance academic excellence, strengthen the student experience, and ensure thoughtful continuity across the divisions. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of the developmental needs of young learners and a demonstrated ability to cultivate a culture of curiosity, belonging, reflection, and purposeful growth. The Head of Lower School will help students discover their gifts, explore meaningful questions, discern wisely, and develop the confidence and character to act with intention.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a deep commitment to Catholic education and the mission of St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School.
• Possess at least a Master's Degree in Education or a related field.
• Bring significant experience as an elementary school educator and leader. Possess a strong understanding of child development and best practices in Lower School education.
• Demonstrate experience supporting Catholic identity, social-emotional learning, and innovativeinstructional practice as integrated elements of school life.
• Be warm, visible, relational, and accessible.
• Be strategic while remaining attentive to daily details.
• Be a clear, calm, and confident communicator.
• Be an advocate for children and a trusted partner to families.
• Be skilled at leading change thoughtfully and building confidence during periods of growth.
• Be committed to academic excellence, student formation, and the development of the whole child.
• Be curious, reflective, collaborative, and open to new possibilities. Honor institutional history while helping the school move purposefully into the future