Employment

Job Posted: May 2, 2025
Compensation: Starting at $80,000

The Head of School serves as the chief executive officer, visionary leader, and spiritual shepherd of Calvary Christian School (CCS). This leader ensures the mission, vision, and values of Calvary Church and CCS are faithfully advanced across Preschool through 12th grade, while overseeing academic excellence, spiritual development, operational management, and institutional growth.

The Head of School provides executive leadership to all school divisions, working collaboratively with the Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal, Jr. High Academic Dean, Business Manager, and Development Director to ensure a unified, Christ-centered educational experience.
This position is responsible for strategic planning, faculty and staff development, financial stewardship, advancement efforts, and the continual strengthening of CCS as a biblically faithful, academically excellent, and mission-driven Christian school.

The Head of School reports directly to the Advisory Committee and the Senior Pastor and serves as the public face of CCS to families, churches, and the broader community.

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Articulate, model, and advance the mission, vision, and core values of Calvary Christian School.
• Lead strategic planning efforts that promote school-wide excellence, growth, and sustainability.
• Oversee all accreditation processes, ensuring full compliance with ACSI, Illinois State Board of Education, and other applicable standards.
• Ensure school-wide systems, structures, policies, and procedures align with best practices for Christian education and operational excellence.
• Collaborate closely with the Advisory Committee on governance policies, planning, and accountability measures.

Spiritual & Community Leadership

• Serve as the spiritual leader of CCS, modeling a Christ-centered life of integrity, humility, and service.
• Ensure all school programs, policies, and practices are rooted in Biblical principles and a Christian worldview.
• Promote spiritual formation through chapel, discipleship programs, faculty devotions, and student life initiatives.
• Maintain strong relationships with Calvary Church, local ministries, and Christian educational associations.
• Represent CCS at key church events, Christian school gatherings, and community functions.

Academic Oversight & Faculty Development

• Provide executive leadership to the Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal, and Jr. High Academic Dean to ensure a seamless educational experience from Preschool to Grade 12.
• Oversee curriculum development, academic programming, and instructional practices, ensuring rigor, biblical integration, and college/career readiness.
• Maintain high academic standards by fostering continuous faculty professional growth, instructional coaching, and clear evaluation processes.
• Support hiring, development, and retention of mission-aligned, biblically committed faculty and staff.
• Oversee the implementation of effective records management, transcript crediting, student transfer processes, and academic planning for graduation and postsecondary preparation.

Financial & Operational Leadership

• Serve as the chief steward of CCS’s financial resources, ensuring fiscal integrity, wise stewardship, and sustainable growth.
• Oversee budget development, financial forecasting, tuition structuring, and expense control in collaboration with the Business Manager and Advisory Committee.
• Manage school operations, including facilities, safety, transportation, technology infrastructure, and campus development.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legal, health, and safety standards.
• Lead emergency preparedness planning and school-wide risk management protocols.

Development, Advancement & Fundraising

• Oversee the Development Director to support strong fundraising, donor engagement, alumni relations, and grant acquisition.
• Lead strategic capital campaigns, tuition assistance initiatives, and major gifts programs.
• Foster strong community and church partnerships to support the advancement of CCS.

Parent & Community Engagement

• Serve as the chief public representative for CCS to parents, churches, local organizations, and the greater community.
• Communicate transparently and proactively with families regarding school vision, policies, academic programs, and initiatives.
• Build a culture of partnership with families through engagement opportunities, parent education events, and volunteer programs.
• Provide leadership in times of crisis, public relations matters, and media communication.

School Advisory Committee Partnership & Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Advisory Committee and school operations.
• Provide monthly reports to the Advisory Committee on financial health, academic achievement, enrollment trends, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Advisory Committee on strategic planning, policy development, and vision casting.
• Execute policies faithfully and steward school resources responsibly.

Student Admissions, Retention & Growth

• Oversee the admissions, marketing, and enrollment management functions in partnership with the Director of Admissions.
• Ensure consistent growth through effective recruitment, retention, and outreach strategies that align with the CCS mission.
• Monitor enrollment trends, demographic data, and competitive analysis to maintain CCS’s strong positioning in Christian education.

Key Competencies

• A “born-again” follower of Jesus Christ (John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23) with a vibrant, growing relationship with the Lord.
• Whole-hearted agreement with Calvary Christian School’s Statement of Faith, mission, vision, and values.
• Must be or become an active member of Calvary Church.
• Proven leadership in Christian education, including vision-setting, team-building, and spiritual mentorship.
• Strong financial oversight, fundraising leadership, and operational management experience.
• Excellent communicator — both written and verbal — with the ability to engage multiple stakeholders.
• High relational intelligence with the ability to inspire faculty, parents, students, board members, and donors.
• Strategic thinker with a heart for ministry and excellence.
• Deep commitment to the biblical worldview, discipleship, and Christian school distinctiveness.

Education and Experience

• Master's degree required; Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, Christian School Administration, Business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5–10 years of executive leadership experience in Christian education, school administration, or nonprofit leadership.
• ACSI certification in leadership or willingness to obtain.
• Experience with high school program development, curriculum oversight, and accreditation.
• Knowledge of Illinois State high school credit requirements, transcripts, and academic standards preferred.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to the Advisory Committee and Senior Pastor of Calvary Church.
• Directly supervises the Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal, Jr. High Academic Dean, Business Manager, and Development Director.
• Works collaboratively with faculty, staff, parents, alumni, community leaders, and churches.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands.
• Must be able to lift to 20 pounds and actively supervise throughout the day.