Lower School Principal (2024-25)

Job Details
Job Location
Redlands Christian School/Arrowhead Christian Academy - Redlands, CA
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
4 Year Degree
Salary Range
$102,000.00 - $113,000.00 Salary
Travel Percentage
None
Job Category
Executive
Description
Summary: Directs and leads the overall curricular and co-curricular programs of the Lower School, Kindergarten through 5th grade levels, assuring that all aspects of the programs and activities support the mission of the schools. The Lower School Principal models a servant's heart and promotes an attitude of respect, teamwork and professionalism. Supports the administrative team and reports regularly to the Head of Schools. Responsible for maintaining open lines of communication between Lower School faculty, staff, students, and parents.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities as Lower School Principal include the following:
(Other duties may be assigned.)
Curriculum:

• Oversees design and implementation of a quality Lower School curricular program
• Plans and oversees implementation of co-curricular events in the areas of fine arts, sports, SOAR and spiritual life

Faculty:

• Interviews candidates and makes recommendations to the Head of Schools.
• Annually conducts performance evaluations with faculty and staff.
• Plans and implements a comprehensive faculty development program in conjunction with the administration to include professional education coursework and/or readings, vocational training, in-services, mentoring, policy and procedure handbook, and attendance at seminars and conventions.
• Directly supervises faculty in the Lower School program.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and procedures. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Reviews grades, grading procedures, lesson plans, FACTS, progress reports, etc. in partnership with the Lower School Academic Dean

Students/Parents:

• Recruit, interview, and recommend for admission those students/parents who meet the academic, spiritual, and social standards of the school.
• Handles discipline referrals, takes action, contacts parents, and documents incidents.
• Keeps parents informed about student progress in cooperation with staff and other members of the administrative team.
• Review the academic progress of LS students quarterly in partnership with the Lower School Academic Dean.
• Identify and monitor students needing support. In partnership with the Lower School Academic Dean and PK-5 Director of Spanish Immersion, represent the LS leadership team in attendance at student support team meetings to give input and oversight to remediate learning or behavioral problems. Consider the possible eligibility of students for special education services in partnership with the Special Education team.
• Ensure that faculty and staff are communicating with parents.
• Creates and maintains a sense of community within the LS program, specifically and within the context of the entire school globally
• Shepherds students by making contact for accomplishments, birthdays, difficulties, and counsels as needed
• Is a visible leader at programs, events, arrival, and dismissal
• Refers student as needed to external counseling resources and internal campus Chaplain support

Schedules:

• Coordinates class scheduling and faculty curricular and co-curricular assignments with the Administration.
• Develops the various schedules needed to make the Lower School function properly: Supervision schedules; Specials schedules; Class schedules; Standardized testing schedules
• Schedules and supervises events, such as: Back to School Open House, Football Run Throughs, Chapels, Christmas Programs, Eagle Parent Events, Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Promotions

Facilities:

• Monitors the use of LS facilities ensuring building and grounds are well cared for, maintained, and secure.
• Furniture and equipment are accounted for and in good working order.
• Steps in as needed to support faculty and staff with facility needs.
• Oversees the crisis management plan and implementation of drills.

Other:

• Oversees the Lower School Academic Dean, PK-5 Spanish Immersion Director, SOAR Director, and their responsibilities.
• Supports the development director in fundraising efforts.
• Supports the admissions director in recruiting and enrolling of students and their families.
• Works with the administration on the yearly revisions of the Student/Parent and Employee Handbooks.
• Supports the Preschool, Middle, and Upper School programs when possible.

Vision:

• Oversees the implementation of the vision of the Lower School as it relates to the overall philosophy, goals, and objectives of Redlands Christian Schools.

Budget:

• Provides input into the overall budget process as it relates to the needs of the Lower School program.
• Monitors the implementation of the budget across the Lower School program.

Spiritual Life:

• Monitors the spiritual life within the Lower School community.
• Encourages individual and corporate prayer through meeting and praying with personnel, students, and families.
• Oversees the Lower School chapel program.
• Oversees all special events.
• Implements the RCS discipline policy

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly supervises faculty and staff in the Lower School program in accordance with the organization's policies and procedures. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; classroom evaluations, performance evaluations; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving conflicts.
Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university and five or more years of experience in education. Administrative credential preferred. Experience as an administrator, particularly with Lower School, is preferred.
Qualifications
Qualifications:

• Profess a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
• Maintain a positive Christian testimony
• Be involved in a local church of like faith and practice, consistent with the RCS Statement of Faith
• Agree with and adhere to the employee handbook
• Strong communication skills both oral and written
• Ability to meet people comfortably and engage in substantive conversation
• Must be able to work diligently and independently and make judgments with minimal supervision
• Ability to handle financial matters with integrity and with concern for confidentiality
• Ability to use technology

In addition, in order to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of additional knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Competencies:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:
Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Analytical - Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Demonstrates research-based understanding of available resources within the local school community; Aligns work with strategic goals.
Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional situations; Responds promptly to parent/student needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve educational experience; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
Delegation - Delegates work assignments as necessary; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
Design - Generates creative solutions; Demonstrates attention to detail.
Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment.
Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
Problem Solving - Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments; Ability to maintain confidentiality and use independent judgment; Ability to manage and impart confidential information as necessary.
Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Adapts strategy to changing conditions
Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performi...