Principal, Elementary 2027-28

Diocese of St. Augustine; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen of Peace Catholic Academy, Gainesville, seeks a dynamic Principal to serve as spiritual and academic leader for the school. Reporting to the Pastor and collaborating with the Office of the Superintendent, the Principal will foster a strong Catholic identity and ensure academic excellence.

The role encompasses instructional leadership, faculty development, operations, community engagement, and mission advancement in alignment with diocesan guidelines.

Qualifications

• Spiritual and personal requirements: practicing Roman Catholic; active parish involvement.
• Graduate degree in Educational Leadership or equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Hold or be eligible for Florida Educational Leadership Certificate (All Levels).
• Meet Florida Department of Education and accrediting agency requirements for school principals.
• Possess or be willing to obtain Diocesan Ministry Certification (Levels I and II).
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in pedagogy, curriculum, and child development.

Responsibilities

• Promote and uphold Catholic identity and mission in all actions and communications.
• Lead curriculum development, assessment, and instructional practices aligned with diocesan standards and NSBECS.
• Direct faculty in data-informed decision-making to support student progress and excellence.
• Recruit, mentor, evaluate, and retain mission-aligned faculty and staff.
• Ensure compliance with diocesan, state, and accrediting requirements; oversee policies and student conduct.
• Oversee budget development, financial stewardship, and facilities operations.
• Communicate clearly with students, families, staff, and the wider community; represent the school publicly.
• Collaborate with Pastor and School Board on mission advancement and strategic planning.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Data-informed decision making

Education

Graduate degree in Educational Leadership or equivalent

Florida Educational Leadership Certificate (All Levels)

Diocesan Ministry Certification (Levels I & II)

Meet Florida DOE and accrediting agency requirements

Pedagogy, curriculum, and child development knowledge

Tools

School management systems

Educational technology

Job description

Diocese of St. Augustine

Elementary School Principal

Location: Queen of Peace Catholic Academy, Gainesville

Job Description

Position Summary

Queen of Peace Catholic Academy seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Principal to serve as the spiritual and academic leader of the school. Reporting to the Pastor and in collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, the Principal fosters a strong Catholic identity and ensures academic excellence. This leadership role encompasses instructional leadership, faculty and staff development, operational oversight, community engagement, and advancement of the school’s mission. The Principal upholds the values of the Catholic faith and supports the Diocese of St. Augustine’s commitment to evangelizing and catechizing youth through Catholic education.

Key Responsibilities

• Catholic Identity and Mission
  • Promote and support the Catholic mission of the school in all actions, communications, and decisions.
  • Ensure integration of Gospel values and Catholic social teaching across all aspects of school life.
  • Cultivate an environment that supports spiritual development and faithful witness among students, faculty, and families.
  • Maintain fidelity to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and uphold Church doctrine in word and practice.
• Instructional Leadership
  • Provide leadership in curriculum development, assessment, and instructional practices aligned with diocesan standards and the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (NSBECS).
  • Lead faculty in data-informed decision-making to ensure academic progress and excellence.
  • Oversee co-curricular and extracurricular programs to support holistic student development.
  • Foster a culture of continuous professional growth among faculty and staff.
• Faculty and Staff Supervision
  • Recruit, mentor, evaluate, and retain qualified and mission-aligned faculty and staff.
  • Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide formative feedback.
  • Encourage collaboration, accountability, and professional excellence rooted in Gospel values.
• School Operations and Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with diocesan, state, and accrediting agency requirements.
  • Oversee development and enforcement of policies and procedures, including the student code of conduct.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential personnel and student records.
  • Uphold diocesan safety protocols and maintain a secure and orderly school environment.
• Finance and Facilities
  • In collaboration with the Pastor and School Board, prepare and manage the annual school budget.
  • Exercise prudent financial stewardship, ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency.
  • Oversee school facility operations, maintenance, and safety in accordance with diocesan guidelines.
• Communication and Community Engagement
  • Communicate clearly and effectively with students, parents, faculty, staff, and the wider community.
  • Build strong relationships with stakeholders through visibility, accessibility, and partnership.
  • Represent the school positively in parish, diocesan, and community settings.
  • Collaborate with the Pastor and School Board in mission advancement and strategic planning.

General Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professional conduct in all interactions.
• Exhibit personal integrity, sound judgment, and a professional appearance.
• Be available for evening and weekend commitments as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Pastor or Superintendent.

Basic Qualifications

• Spiritual and Personal
  • A practicing Roman Catholic in full communion with the Church.
  • A strong commitment to Catholic education and the Church’s evangelizing mission.
  • Evidence of active participation in a parish faith community.
• Educational and Professional
  • Graduate degree in Educational Leadership or equivalent from an accredited institution.
  • Hold or be eligible to obtain a valid Florida Educational Leadership Certificate (All Levels).
  • Meet Florida Department of Education and accrediting agency requirements for school principals.
  • Possess or be willing to obtain Diocesan Ministry Certification (Levels I and II).
  • Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in pedagogy, curriculum, and child development.
• Skills and Competencies
  • Strong written, verbal, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Effective leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
  • Technological proficiency, including word processing and school management systems.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities with professionalism, flexibility, and resilience.
  • Reliable transportation and ability to travel for diocesan meetings as needed.
  • Must be able to successfully complete a criminal background check and take a Protecting God's Children class before beginning employment. For the Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website, visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com.

Physical And Mental Requirements

• Normal visual acuity and manual dexterity; ability to lift and carry items typical of an office and school environment.
• Capable of walking, sitting, standing, stooping, reaching, talking, hearing, and keyboarding for extended periods.