Middle School Principal

Updated 12/5/2025

Primary Professional Function 

We are seeking a dynamic, mission-aligned principal who will serve as an instructional leader and demonstrate and values positive school culture, a supportive community and academic outcomes.  

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Leadership: 

• Employs leadership style, which is appropriate for the situation, delegates and encourages self-direction when appropriate.  
• Creates a healthy environment which is conducive to openness and cooperation. 
• Leads, supports and evaluates the development of FXW faculty and staff, individually and collectively. 
• Plans and executes faculty in-service days. 
• Promotes a safe and positive learning environment by effectively building relationships, maintaining established norms of behavior, and coordinating support for students. 
• Develop a comprehensive onboarding and mentoring process for new teachers. 
• A member of the High School Guidance Team to assist students and families through high school placement and admissions process. 

• Serve as a leader in advancing the Catholic mission of FXW.

• Actively support and communicate the Catholic identity of school.

• Collaborate with parish and Archdiocesan partners, and nurtures a school culture rooted in faith, service, and Catholic values.

Instruction: 

• Serves as a consultant to FXW faculty in manners of classroom management, progressive teaching methods and school procedures. 
• Utilizes clinical supervision strategies for providing feedback to staff on observed instruction. 
• Identifies, analyzes and provides help for the solution of specific instructional problems. 
• Establishes and communicates high expectations for student achievement and behavior. 
• Leads curriculum review cycles in all content areas. 
• Supervises all academic teams (Math Team, Debate, Model UN, Scholastic Bowl). 
• Supports instructional leaders who guide professional learning committees by coaching them in goal setting, managing agendas, and accountability.  
• Provides oversight of all instructional planning and coaches teachers through the process of backward design using a standards-based curriculum. 

 School-Community Relations: 

• Demonstrates an ability to communicate a clear understanding of the mission and programs of the school to staff, students and community. 
• Works in concert with the school social workers to support the social-emotional well-being of students. 
• Involves parents and community members in school. 
• Ensure that parents are provided with information on the child’s progress. 
• Fosters consistent and thorough communication with and between parents, teachers and students. 
• Assists with enrollment management, retention, and recruitment by creating opportunities for engagement. 

 Management:              

• Maintains a clean, safe and secure environment. 
• Maintains and submits records and reports that are accurate and on time. 
• Follows Board policies and communicates them effectively to the staff, students and school community. 
• Collaborate with the Preschool-Grade 3 Principal and Director of Education to ensure a cohesive Preschool through 8th grade program. 
• Follows a plan of supervision and evaluation for all personnel for which s/he has supervisory responsibility. 
• Works cooperatively with the personnel office in the selection, transfer, retention or dismissal of a teacher. 
• Monitors professional development for teachers. 
• Oversight of the budget process for the campus including management and forecasting. 

Compliance: 

Although FXW is an Independent Catholic School, all faculty and staff comply with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Protecting God’s Children Requirements. 

• Complete the required new hire paperwork and mandatory Archdiocese training.
• Must clear Background Check/Fingerprints.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies.
• Required to attend additional training classes as designated by the Security Operations Manager/ Security Lead or Security Supervisor and/or FXW administrative staff.

Qualifications and Requirements: 

Faith Requirement:

Because The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic institution and this leadership position plays a key role in supporting and advancing the Catholic identity, mission, and faith formation of the school community, the Principal must be a practicing Catholic in good standing, committed to modeling, supporting, and upholding the teachings, values, and faith life of the Catholic Church. This requirement is made in accordance with all applicable laws governing religious organizations and ministerial or mission-centered roles.

• MA in Education, Teaching or Educational Administration 
• Minimum of 5 years of administrative experience 
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a leadership position involving curriculum or teacher supervision 

Key Relationships 

The Principal reports to and will be supervised, evaluated, and mentored by the Director of Education. Other key relationships include Campus Leadership, Head of School, other teachers and administrators, staff, students and parents.

Physical Requirements:

The Principal must be able to remain in a stationary position, either sitting or standing, for extended periods while performing administrative and supervisory duties. The role requires regular movement throughout the school building and campus to observe classrooms, monitor student activities, and attend meetings or events. The Principal must occasionally lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, such as books, equipment, or supplies, and be able to bend, stoop, reach, and climb stairs within a multi-level school facility. Visual and auditory acuity are necessary to effectively observe, supervise, and communicate with students, staff, and families in a variety of settings. Clear and effective communication, both verbal and written, is essential to lead staff meetings, address students, and engage with parents and the broader school community. The position also requires the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, as well as the flexibility to attend evening and weekend events as required by school activities or community functions.

Work Environment:

The work environment for the Principal is representative of a dynamic and fast-paced educational setting within a middle school serving students in Grades 4–8. The position operates primarily within a school building, including offices, classrooms, gymnasiums, and common areas, with frequent movement throughout the facility and campus. The role routinely involves direct interaction with students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members, requiring a professional demeanor and the ability to respond effectively in a variety of situations. The environment may, at times, be noisy or fast-paced, particularly during student transitions, events, or emergencies. The Principal must be able to remain composed and exercise sound judgment under pressure while maintaining a focus on safety, equity, and the overall well-being of the school community.

The position is full-time and may require working beyond the standard school day, including some evenings and weekends to attend school functions, meetings, or community events. The Principal is expected to maintain a visible and active presence throughout the school day and during extracurricular activities to support the mission and culture of the school.

Compensation and Benefits:

FXW offers a competitive salary and robust benefits program, commensurate with experience and consistent with independent schools.

Expected compensation for this role includes a salary within the range of $90,000- $120,000.

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life & Disability
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Long-Term Disability
  • Basic Life & AD&D
  • Voluntary Life & AD&D
• Voluntary Benefits
• Financial Wellness
  • FSA
  • Commuter Benefits
  • 403B Retirement Savings
• Wellbeing & Balance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Mental Health Resources

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications?  We understand. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply and welcome a chance for us to review your background. We are dedicated to building and maintaining a diversified workforce and considering a broad array of candidates with a variety of skills, workplace experiences, and backgrounds.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

FXW is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace and values candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. We encourage individuals who may not meet 100% of the listed requirements, but who believe they could excel in this role, to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process and within the workplace to support all employees in performing the essential functions of the job.

Non-Discrimination Policy                                                                                                                                                    

It is The Frances Xavier Warde School’s goal to attract, recruit and retain exceptional faculty and staff that are inspiring, diverse and committed to the school’s mission. We support our teachers and staff by welcoming them into an environment that encourages them to excel and by maintaining a rich benefits package that helps them flourish and grow personally and professionally.

FXW will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to student admissions and employment.

We invite you to become a part of our community, and FXW makes a deliberate effort to employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

No phone calls, please.

Mission Statement

The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an excellent academic, values-oriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The Frances Xavier Warde School provides need-based scholarships to thirty percent of its students.

The Frances Xavier Warde School partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all its students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. The Frances Xavier Warde School uses a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit.