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History

Founded in 1965, St. Catherine of Siena School has been successfully shaping the lives of young children from preschool through middle school, for many years. SCSS is purposefully a small school, fostering close personal connections between students and their peers and students and the adult role models. The faculty is intentional in the ways that they work with children to build a sense of community and to help them understand their role within this Catholic community.

Today a faith based curriculum is the foundation for the school’s academic excellence, complemented with state-of-the-art instructional technology as well as advanced science and math programming. Consistent with other Catholic schools in Fairfield County with US Department of Education Blue Ribbon designation, the school’s academic program includes curriculum mapping, differentiated instruction, and ongoing faculty professional development to ensure students continue to meet and exceed state proficiency tests in reading and math. We continue to actively work on its mission and rigorous curriculum that is designed to support the needs of 21st- century students.

One of the major innovations that we have embraced in our educational mission is the use of “personalized blended learning.” Simply put, this model blends traditional classroom instruction with an online diagnostic set of tools that allow teachers to understand the mechanics of how each student learns (personalized approach), allowing the teacher to give direct assistance in those areas that a student may find challenging, all the while allowing the same student to excel in areas that he or she can understand easily.

Present Day

SCSS encourages the children to develop their unique gifts and talents intellectually, physically, and spiritually. They build upon their individual strengths, basic skills, and knowledge to help each child reach their potential. In addition to the curriculum, the academic week is enriched by classes in world language, art, music, and physical education. They begin every day with prayer, attend Mass together regularly, and provide opportunities for classes to engage in prayer services.

In all grade levels, students develop knowledge of Sacred Scripture, Sacraments, Catholic Doctrine, Liturgy and Worship. Students learn firsthand how to live a life of service to God by participating in school wide community service projects that extend to organizations as well as the greater global community.

SCSS offers opportunities for involvement in clubs such as SCSS Cares Service Team, Cross Stitching. Knitting Club, Lego Engineering, Newspaper, Yearbook, Chess Club, Student Council and many more student programs and clubs.

SCSS admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions, policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

We are accredited by NEASC (New England Association of Schools & Colleges) and the State of Connecticut.

Job Description

The St. Catherine of Siena School Principal is the leader of the school and is appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, reports to the Superintendent of Schools and works collaboratively with the Pastor, School Advisory Board (SAB), and Home School Association (HSA). The highest priority of the Principal is the building of a Catholic community of faith that provides for the spiritual, moral, educational, intellectual, aesthetical, emotional, social, and physical needs of the students in the school.

Overview

• The Principal’s goal is to provide effective leadership in fulfilling and communicating the mission of the school to all constituents.
• The Principal is the overall leader and facilitator of the community of faith and bears responsibility for the integrity and practice of the spiritual life of the school.
• The Principal is responsible for maintaining and developing academic excellence, as well as providing ample programs to meet the faith formation and co-curricular and extra-curricular needs of the students.
• The Principal, assisted by the Business Manager and Bookkeeper, has the general charge and control of personnel and budget, and its business affairs.
• The Principal assisted by the SAB, HSA, and the Coordinators of Advancement and Enrollment (if applicable), has the general charge of advancement programs; and is ultimately responsible for enrollment and fundraising.
• The Principal is evaluated by the Office of the Superintendent of Schools with input from key school constituents including the chair of the SAB, HSA, and the faculty and staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To ensure the Catholic Identity of the school.
• To act as the educational leader of the school, responsible for its day-to-day operation; to direct the activities of the school’s instructional and non-instructional staff in the performance of their duties.
• To function as the chief articulator of the school’s programs, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and other information necessary to ensure that all constituencies are fully informed consistent with their individual roles.
• To observe, supervise, and help evaluate the faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum; to supervise the teaching process, and to review and evaluate the academic programs.
• To provide an orderly, controlled environment in which learning can take place and where a school climate is supportive and reflects our Catholic Identity.
• To be aware of the educational, physical, social, and psychological needs
• of the members of our school community and to develop plans for meeting these needs.
• To make recommendations to the Superintendent regarding the hiring, retention, and assignment of faculty.
• To conduct regular meetings with faculty which will deal both withroutine school matters and with the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest.
• To oversee the coordination of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activity programs of the school.
• To provide for the academic guidance of students; to maintain complete academic records on all students; to oversee the grading and the reporting of standards and methods used by teachers in measuring student achievement.
• To be a visible presence in all areas of the school.
• To prepare a master school class schedule and to assign teachers and students to classes and other obligations.
• To serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school procedures.
• To perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualities

• Working knowledge of and a strong commitment to the mission of the CatholicChurch.
• Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church.
• Excellent communications skills including written, verbal, public speaking andpresentation skills.
• Excellent human relations and interpersonal skills; must be a self-starter andbe well-organized; must be a team player.
• Be available for evening/weekend meetings/events as necessary.
• Be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficiency in the use of computer technology including Microsoft Office, GoogleSuite, and related educational technology.
• Previous Catholic School experience.
• Masters Degree.
• Valid Administrator’s Certification for the state of Connecticut or another state.

To Apply

Given the desire for the new Principal to be in place well before the start of the new 2026 academic year, candidates are encouraged to submit their materials immediately. The position will remain open until filled.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically as separate documents (preferably as PDFs) the following materials:

Formal cover letter expressing interest in the position and aligning your skills and experiences with the leadership needs of St. Catherine of Siena School, as stipulated above;

Current resume with all appropriate dates;

Brief statement of educational or leadership philosophy and practice;

List of at least five references with name, title, phone number and email address of each (References will not be contacted until a serious mutual interest is established, and not without the candidate’s permission).

All materials should be addressed to Stacie Stueber, Superintendent of Schools, and emailed to Sharon Luciano, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at [email protected] the subject line St. Catherine of Siena Principal.