Job Title: Principal
Job Status: Permanent/Full Time
Contact: Sister Margaret Rose Adams, IHM, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
E-Mail: sr.mradams@archphila.org
Job Description:
Our Mother of Consolation School in Philadelphia, PA is seeking a faith-filled and dynamic principal to continue the mission of Catholic education in a new, state-of-the-art facility. Our Mother of Consolation School employs about 23 faculty and staff and has 10 classrooms with over 225 students in grades PreK- 8. Our newly-built school building contains state-of-the-art equipment, an innovation lab, an information commons, an outdoor classroom, and the latest technology.
The ideal candidate is a practicing Catholic who is ready to lead while working collaboratively with the pastor, faculty, staff, students, parents, parish leaders and other stakeholders. The starting date for this position is July 1, 2026.
The ideal candidate possesses a spirit of innovation and will be a motivating force in shaping Catholic identity and rigorous academic programs. This individual should have a passion for excellence and be instrumental in leading and supporting staff in educational best practices. This person should be able to build strong relationships with multiple stakeholders, demonstrating leadership and engagement with all. Finally, the model candidate will understand the importance of school vitality and viability, and therefore, be vested in making students and faculty feel successful and valued for their contributions.
Our Mother of Consolation School is a Middle States Association accredited school within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and it is located in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school experienced a fire in spring 2023 and as a result a rebuilt, brand-new facility replaced the previous school in September 2025. Our Mother of Consolation has achieved National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and Archdiocese of Philadelphia School of Distinguished Instruction.
Its governance model is pastor, Father John Fisher, OSFS, working collaboratively with the principal, and the Board of Limited Jurisdiction.
Requirements:
The principal of Our Mother of Consolation School must be a dynamic, faith-filled leader with a strong commitment to Catholic education and the teachings of the Church. This person must lead by personal witness to the Catholic faith and exhibit passion and compassion in articulating the mission of Our Mother of Consolation School to students, parents, faculty, stakeholders, and the community.
The ideal candidate must possess the following:
• A strong commitment to the Catholic faith. A minimum of five years’ experience in Catholic education
• A master’s degree preferably in educational leadership or will work toward it
• An understanding of child growth and development
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent leadership, people management and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in technology
• Knowledge of marketing and enrollment strategies to foster school viability
• Knowledge of school operations including budgeting and fundraising
• An understanding of the role of the School Board in relation to the administration of the school
• Knowledge of accreditation and certification processes
• Experience in achieving academic success
• Degrees and certifications as required by the Office of Catholic Education
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide leadership to the teaching staff on curriculum and instruction, classroom management, and student achievement
• Establish academic and behavioral goals with corresponding implementation plans
• Partner with teaching staff and parents to manage student behaviors in a positive and proactive manner
• Cultivate an environment that fosters academic excellence, Catholic faith formation, vitality, and viability
• Responsible for creating a climate that encourages the engagement of each student in the learning process while fostering a love for learning
• Inspire a committed faculty and an engaged student body to form a highly effective learning community inclusive of all stakeholders in the ministry of Catholic education
• Utilize technology as a communication and educational tool
• Ensure staff have adequate opportunities for professional development
• Provide meaningful and constructive feedback to faculty and staff
• Work collaboratively with designated committees to support school events, fundraising initiatives, and enrollment campaigns
• Collaborate with community leaders, and other stakeholders
• Actively manage accreditations and certifications
• Be forward thinking and maintain a vision for the future of the school
Qualifications:
• Must be a practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church, active in a parish community.
• Possess a current teaching certification issued by the state of Pennsylvania
• Preferred administration certification issued by the state of Pennsylvania
• Possess a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in educational leadership or at least be able to fulfill this requirement within their first two years of employment.
• Preferred minimum of five years of experience in a Catholic school.
• Previous experience in Catholic school administration will be favorably considered.
• Must adhere to the Code of Ethical Conduct, especially with regard to minors.
• Must complete all required background check and fingerprinting, Virtus safe-environment training, and mandated catechist certification.
Interested and qualified candidates, please send:
• Resume
• Cover letter
• Three letters of recommendation
• Updated clearances (FBI fingerprint, Child Abuse, and Criminal Background)
Completed applications, with required documents should be returned by May 15, 2026. They may be e-mailed to: Fr. John Fisher, OSFS at jfisher@omcparish.com
If the position is offered, the candidate will be required to complete the “Protecting God’s Children” training through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Additional information regarding this training can be found here.
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