The focus for efforts and attention in the Department of Catholic Schools at the elementary school level starts with the Vision Statement: leaders establish a collaborative, ongoing culture of growth to ensure vibrant Catholic schools for future generations. The three foundational areas of faith, excellence, and stewardship also have Vision Statements that provide direction for goal-setting, planning, and evaluation of the elementary schools. These foundational areas support growth and innovation in all curricular and extracurricular school programs.
Faith: Administration and faculty are engaged in ongoing faith formation and extend that formation to every student so that they value and live the Catholic faith.
Excellence: Administration and faculty exhibit professional competency and engage in ongoing professional growth so that every student masters all essential standards for every grade.
Stewardship: Administration communicates the mission, exhibits financial competency, and ensures present and future sustainability of the school.
Pastor
The pastor is ex officio the chief administrative officer of the parish school. He implements the policies of the Department of Catholic Schools in the parish school. On matters not covered by the Administrative Handbook, the pastor determines policies consistent with archdiocesan policy and appropriate to the school's needs. Relying on the expertise of the Department of Catholic Schools, the pastor is ultimately responsible for the spiritual, administrative/financial, and personnel aspects of the school. However, he delegates the immediate direction and supervision of the school program to the principal.
1 Spiritual Responsibilities
The pastor:
2 Administrative/Financial Responsibilities
The pastor:
3 Personnel Responsibilities
The pastor:
Principal
The Department of Catholic Schools has a standard process for recruiting, selecting, developing, and retaining effective school principals. Elementary school principals are selected and evaluated by the pastor, in collaboration with the Department of Catholic Schools and in accord with its process.
With limited exceptions, employment of principals is for one year only with the possibility of rehire. Any exceptions must be approved by the superintendent of Catholic schools. Pastors shall inform principals if employment will be offered for the following year by March 1 of each year. The deadline for principals to accept the invitation for employment is March 15 of each year.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles seeks leaders who:
Promote development in the faith by implementing, coordinating, and overseeing the religious education program of the school
Ensure the growth of every student by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and holistic instructional program that is based on Gospel values
Establish high expectations for staff professional development
- Ensure the success of the school through appropriate financial and personnel management, fund-raising and development, marketing and enrollment, plant management, and collaboration among all stakeholders.
Expectations for Candidates and Principals
Principals and candidates for principal must demonstrate the capacity and openness to growth in order to effectively lead a Catholic elementary school in the following areas:
Faith
Principals will:
Implement and update catechetical materials and religious instruction resources used in the school
Promote ongoing formation of staff through systematic planning of spiritual growth opportunities throughout the year
Lead meaningful and varied forms of daily prayer and at special times throughout the year for the school community
Model Catholic values and promote them throughout the school community
Emphasize Christian service learning that is carefully planned, age appropriate, and woven through the curriculum
Promote the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner consistent with Catholic social teaching
Ensure that the Catholic culture permeates all aspects of school life
Develop and maintain a collaborative culture with the pastor and parish
Excellence
Principals will:
Develop and maintain a collaborative staff culture to promote academic excellence for all
Direct a clearly articulated, rigorous curriculum aligned with relevant standards, 21st-century skills, and Gospel values, implemented through effective, data-informed instruction that incorporates research-based methodologies
Ensure the implementation of schoolwide assessment methods and practices to communicate student progress and direct the continuous review of curriculum and improvement of instructional practices
Provide and direct programs and services aligned with the mission to enrich the academic program and support the holistic development of student and family life
Lead the development and integration of technology to support the school
Stewardship
Principals will:
Understand and manage school finances, including budget development, ongoing oversight and projections, and tuition and fund-raising management
Hire, train, and supervise faculty and staff in accordance with archdiocesan guidelines, including the Principal's Transition Inventory
Optimize and maintain student enrollment in order to ensure school sustainability
Promote a safe, secure, and welcoming learning environment
Communicate effectively with stakeholders
