Lower School Principal

St Paul Academy And Summit School•St. Paul, MN

About The Position

St. Paul Academy and Summit School seeks a Lower School Principal to provide comprehensive leadership, vision, and oversight for the Lower School’s programs, personnel, and community across two campuses, serving approximately 250 students. The Principal reports to the Head of School and oversees student, faculty, curriculum, and operational matters. The role represents the Lower School on the Head’s Council, relevant Pre-K–12 committees, and in the wider SPA community. The Lower School Leadership Team includes the Assistant Principal, Counselor, Learning Specialist, Christopher Center Pathways Coordinator, Pre-Kindergarten Coordinator, and Adventure Kids Director. The position begins July 1, 2027, and is full-time, 12 months, and exempt. The listed salary range is $145,000–$165,000 per year, commensurate with experience. The role includes travel to the Pre-K campus and 6–12 campus at least weekly for meetings and check-ins.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Five to ten years of lower or elementary school experience.
Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous, and complex tasks and projects efficiently and effectively.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and effectiveness with diverse constituencies.
Personal integrity and strong moral and ethical character.
Love of children and a deep understanding of child development.
Enthusiasm and the ability to motivate others.
Flexibility, adaptability, persistence, and proactivity.
Approachable, accessible, and visible manner.
Strong organization and planning skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree strongly preferred.
School administrative experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for the Lower School and maintain alignment between the school’s mission and Lower School activities.
Serve as the educational leader of the Lower School, overseeing day-to-day operations and decision-making, including implementation of school policies, procedures, and practices.
Create a comprehensive learning environment that supports the developmental needs of Lower School students.
Work with the Assistant Principal, Pre-K–12 Director of Academic Programs, and Academic Council to oversee the Lower School curriculum and promote coherence and consistency across grade levels.
Hire, supervise, evaluate, and support the professional growth of Lower School faculty and staff.
Work with the Assistant Principal to hire and manage substitute teacher needs.
Maintain a collegial, collaborative culture among faculty and staff and lead regular faculty meetings.
Communicate the Lower School’s vision, programs, policies, expectations, achievements, culture, and community to students, parents, faculty, other divisions, and the wider community.
Partner with the Assistant Principal on student conduct and disciplinary matters, communicate proactively and positively with families, and manage parent questions and concerns.
Work with the student support team to support students’ academic and social-emotional development and develop action plans.
Manage the Lower School budget with the school’s business office.
Serve on the Head’s Council and other school committees as assigned.
Coordinate with the Director of Operations and Security regarding Lower School facilities, security, and operations.
Lead and coordinate community events, including special assemblies, faculty and parent meetings, parent coffee chats, new student and parent orientations, and looking-ahead meetings.
Supervise Lower School Leadership Team members.
Participate in and lead, as needed, the hiring process for other administrators in the Pre-K–12 program.
Travel to the Pre-K campus and 6–12 campus at least weekly for meetings and check-ins.