Website Santa Catalina School
Santa Catalina School – Head of Upper School
Opportunity Statement
School Description
Santa Catalina School is a vibrant, independent, Catholic school offering student-centered co-education to PreK through grade 8 and an all-girls boarding and day college preparatory upper school serving grades 9 through 12. Santa Catalina exists to develop in each student a striving for excellence, a maturing awareness of moral and spiritual values, a sense of responsible purpose, and a determination to serve the world with courage, grace, and compassion. With the cornerstones of excellence, spirituality, service, and responsibility, the school is committed to providing a supportive learning community for each student to grow in their intellectual, personal, and spiritual life, making Santa Catalina a transformational educational experience for its students.
Position Summary
Santa Catalina School, a nationally recognized independent, Catholic school in Monterey, California, seeks a Head of Upper School to lead and inspire a close-knit community of teachers and students in grades 9-12. This position provides an exceptional opportunity for an innovative, experienced, and thoughtful educator committed to the education of young women. The Head of Upper School leads 210 students and 35 faculty and staff members who actively engage with one another to create a values-based, intentional community within an all-girls boarding school environment. This position serves the educational, emotional, personal, spiritual, and social needs of students.
The Head of Upper School oversees all aspects of the educational program, which includes college-level courses and certificate programs, and supports students in pursuit of athletics, the arts, and community service. This person also oversees the residential program, which serves both domestic and international students. The Head of Upper School reports directly to the Head of School, and is a member of the school’s senior leadership team.
The successful candidate will be a proven school leader skilled in forming authentic and empathetic relationships with diverse communities; be dedicated to academic excellence, in particular the education of young women; have an understanding of the role of boarding school in fostering community and developing life skills; possess a creative and ambitious spirit; be a strategic planner who is experienced in setting goals and creating road maps to accomplish those goals; and have demonstrable achievements related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Head of Upper School is a visible presence on campus who models and values healthy
relationships and personal integrity. The successful candidate will be an effective communicator who values clarity and humor, and will be eager to participate in school life. The Head of Upper School is responsible for fostering a learning environment based on Catalina’s mission, identity, and values.
Essential Responsibilities
● Design and execute, in collaboration with the faculty, a robust, engaging, mission-centered
Upper School program
● Partner with faculty to promote an inclusive, culturally responsive curriculum, community, and culture
● Oversee the development, alignment, and evaluation of curriculum in collaboration with the
instructional leadership team
● Hire faculty and coordinate faculty duties in and out of the classroom
● Direct the professional learning and evaluation programs for all Upper School faculty and staff
● Maintain open communication with students, parents, and student advisors throughout the year in regards to overall student progress
● Oversee the development of the Upper School schedule and allocation of learning spaces
● Develop and maintain community expectations designed to reinforce positive and respectful
student behavior
● Lead all faculty meetings
● Supervise, mentor, coach, and assess the performance and effectiveness of all Upper School
faculty and staff
● Supervise preparation, planning, and student enrollment in courses and programs
● Oversee the residential program in partnership with the Residential Life Director and residential faculty
● Work closely with the Assistant Head of School for Mission and Identity in support of the
spiritual life of the school
● Collaborate with the Director of Admission, faculty, and prospective families to ensure a diverse and well-qualified student body in the Upper School
● Partner with the Lower and Middle School division head and the Upper School admission team to ensure effective student transitions and retention
● Prepare and control divisional budget and participate in all-school budget discussions
● Direct and supervise safety policies and practices for Upper School students, faculty, and staff
● Maintain appropriate personnel records
● Keep the Head of School informed of Upper School programs, activities, needs, concerns, and
problems
● Supervise or coordinate other educational or personnel matters delegated by the Assistant Head of School or Head of School
● Attend Masses, chapel services, and other school community events
Other Responsibilities
● Other duties as directed by the Head of School
Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred
● Demonstrated success working with adolescents, preferably in an all-girls environment
● Seven years or more of high school teaching experience, preferably in an independent school
setting
● Experience in a boarding school environment preferred
● A commitment to the mission and identity of Santa Catalina School
● Ability to teach a course in the Upper School as needed
● Willingness to live on campus
● Ability to travel to participate in conferences, meetings, etc.
● Successful completion of a LiveScan criminal background check as required by law
Competencies
● Enthusiasm and authentic interest in working with students and colleagues dedicated to Upper School education
● Understanding of and appreciation for an intentional all-girls learning environment
● Exceptional communication, including writing, speaking, teaching, meeting facilitation, and
presentation skills
● Ability to lead through complex situations with grace and empathy
● An entrepreneurial spirit capable of leading change with clear vision, thoughtful communication, and ongoing feedback
● Supervision, evaluation, and coaching skills
● Demonstrated professional and personal commitment promoting diversity, equity, inclusion,
and cultural competence and the ability to foster rapport with individuals from diverse experiences
● Awareness and engagement with the social-emotional complexities of Upper School students
● Supervision of employees with a commitment to growth mindset
● Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
● Intermediate technology skills, including Microsoft and Google Suite
● Demonstrated evaluative and facilitative skills
● Strong interpersonal skills, including good listening, tact, intuition, and confidentiality
● Commitment to professional growth and education
● Ability to function well under stress
Supervisory Responsibilities
● Directly responsible for supervision of the Assistant Head of the Upper School, Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life, Upper School Counselor, Director of College
Counseling, Director of Health and Wellness, and all Upper School faculty and staff
Working Conditions and Compensation
● Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time each day
● Ability to access buildings and facilities throughout a 36-acre campus, with reasonable accommodations, in order to meet with students and faculty
● Work in a school environment with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and people
● Additional time is required beyond a normal day or week for evening and weekend meetings
● Living on campus is ideal for this position and will be discussed
● Santa Catalina School offers competitive insurance and retirement benefits
● Salary Range: $120,000-180,000 depending on experience and on-campus housing availability
To Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials as a single PDF document
confidentially to Marissa Bruno, Executive Assistant to the Head of School, at
marissa.bruno@santacatalina.org:
● Cover letter expressing interest in becoming the next Head of Upper School at Santa Catalina
School
● Current résumé
● Statement of educational leadership philosophy and practice which expresses who you are and
how you connect to this work (no more than 2 pages)
● List of three references including name, title, phone number, email address, and professional
relationship (references are contacted only with the candidate’s knowledge and permission)
Santa Catalina School is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment at Santa Catalina School is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position, without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, marital status, or any other category protected by the law.
Please direct any questions via email to Marissa Bruno, Executive Assistant to the Head of School, at marissa.bruno@santacatalina.org
