Head of School SEARCH PROSPECTUS Pope Francis High School SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS WWW.POPEFRANCISHIGH.ORG START DATE JULY 2017 Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC
Mission Statement To challenge students to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically to become critical thinkers and faith-based leaders who embody justice, peace, service, and mercy in the global community. The School and its Legacy Pope Francis High School is a four-year, Catholic co-educational college preparatory school which instills Gospel values and fosters academic excellence in a diverse community of learners. Its name, chosen by student leaders as Cathedral High School and Holyoke Catholic High School came together this past year, stands as the first Catholic secondary school in the United States to carry the name of our current Pope. Rising in the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts as the result of a devastating 2011 tornado that destroyed Cathedral, coupled with the realization that both Cathedral and nearby Holyoke Catholic would be best served as one regional school in a brand-new facility, the new $55 million education complex will open on Surrey and Wendover Roads in Springfield with an expandable initial capacity of close to 500, and in time to begin the 2018-19 school year. This past September, in its inaugural year, Pope Francis High School welcomed 367 students at the former Holyoke Catholic High School facility in nearby Chicopee, MA. This blessed and excited school community is truly the tale of two of the most distinguished schools in the Diocese. With its legacies deeply rooted in the Pioneer valley since 1883, Pope Francis High School draws from over 30 towns in the Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut region, while accepting students of various cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, the school currently serves international students from four nations and continues to grow. Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic each bring their own rich traditions and unique stories, their shared common mission to provide an exceptional Christ-centered and faith-filled Catholic educational experience from which form the foundation from which Pope Francis High School students have come together to learn and excel, both in the classroom and in the community. Since their first graduating class in 1885, the legacy schools have instilled academic excellence in its students, evidenced by nearly 50,000 combined alumni that stretch across the nation. You ll find their graduates as your doctor, your nurse or your lawyer, as your college professor or child s teacher, as your priest or a religious sister in your parish. You might read about them as CEOs of international corporations or see them on the Broadway stage, a Hollywood screen or a professional ball field. Respected both near and far, they are touching the everyday lives of people in the communities in which they live. They are simply everywhere! 2 Pope Francis High School Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC
FAST FACTS 100% College Acceptance Rate Academics and Activities Pope Francis High School blends the academic traditions of its legacy schools, offering challenging courses and co-curricular activities in a faith-based and community service oriented environment. Its program of studies includes a robust selection of academically rigorous programs and courses in religious studies, English, math, science, social studies, world language, visual and performing arts, technology and business, and more. Students will find a challenging college preparatory curriculum that accommodates a wide range of academic backgrounds. High-achieving students are provided the opportunity to engage in a rigorous academic program that includes: Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and over 200 Virtual High School courses. In addition, Pope Francis High School continued Holyoke Catholic s dual enrollment program at Elms College, offering students the chance to earn college credits while still in high school. Students requiring extra attention will find one-on-one support from not only its dedicated and passionate faculty and guidance counselors, but also administration and staff as well. Academic excellence is a hallmark of Pope Francis High School. In addition to its academic curriculum, Pope Francis students can explore their own potential through an extensive variety of 29 co-curricular clubs and character-building activities, and 25 competitive athletic teams in 12 different sports many of which are annual participants in State level championship competitions. The school is committed to developing and nurturing the whole student, whether in the classroom, on the field, as a member of a co-curricular activity, or out in the community. They strive to develop students who are respectful and responsible role models inside the school and out. By encouraging its students to participate in leadership and service opportunities that challenge them to demonstrate compassion for others, Pope Francis High School students utilize their time here to prepare themselves for the future, developing their potential and preparing for post-secondary plans to grow into future leaders, grounded in a Christ-centered spirituality. 29% 45 Course Levels Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC Pope Francis High School 3
Partial List of College Acceptances in recent years The Position The permanent Head of School must possess proven visionary and inspirational leadership skills that exemplify the Catholic values and mission of the school while advancing its academic excellence and presence in the community. This dynamic, collaborative, and innovative leader must be able to articulate a compelling vision for the school that engages administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni and benefactors. Primary among the responsibilities of the Head of School will be designing and leading strategies for elevating the school in the areas of advancement, enrollment, branding and marketing to ensure both short-term and long-range financial stability and growth. The successful applicant must be able to establish immediate rapport and trust while building long-term partnership relationships with all internal and external constituent groups. Additionally, he or she will have significant senior level administrative leadership experience in an educational setting along with a proven track record of success in advancement, business operations, and external affairs. As the academic leader of the school, the permanent Head of School will lead a highly effective team of administrators, faculty and support staff while providing for their professional growth and development as they deliver a rigorous academic curriculum that reflects the schools mission and vision, and ensures success for all students while serving a diverse population in an urban setting. The permanent Head of School must be prepared to participate fully in the life of the school, be an exceptional and charismatic communicator and team-builder, embrace change, and demonstrate the ability to plan strategically for the future while serving as the highly visible public face of Pope Francis High School. 4 Pope Francis High School Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC
FAST FACTS Challenges and Opportunities With site-work commencing in September at the new Springfield location, many of the pre-construction challenges to make the school building project shovel-ready have already been met. While the initial academic, student service and operational mechanisms required to integrate the Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic learning communities have already been implemented by its passionate and experienced Interim Head of School, additional challenges remain that will require the immediate focused attention and expertise of the permanent Head of School upon his or her arrival. Candidates will be expected to bring an extensive and broad-based skill set that will enable the continued melding of stakeholders from its legacy schools, along with community and philanthropic leaders throughout the Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut region. While respecting the past, he or she must enthusiastically embrace the future as the school begins a new legacy of its own. Structuring a first-class administrative, faculty and staff team committed to excellence across all aspects and programs, while advancing the brand and messaging of Pope Francis High School to substantially increase student enrollment, support of the annual fund, major events and endowment fund raising will require recent related leadership experience. At the same time the opportunities for the permanent Head of School are unlimited. They include, but are not limited to: the benefits of a brand new 120,000 sq. ft., 21st Century state-of-the-art educational complex that provides a competitive showcase and a sign of the commitment to Catholic education by Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, the Diocese of Springfield and the Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut Catholic community; a new independent governance model led by a local Board of Directors made up of passionate, talented and proven leaders committed to the success, sustainability and academic excellence of the school community; an extensive base of nearly 50,000 alumni from both schools capable of providing long-term significant philanthropic support of the Catholic education delivered through Pope Francis High School. The first permanent Head of School for Pope Francis High School will discover a community committed to Catholic education seeking a strong leader with exceptional relationship skills with whom to share their vision, hopes and dreams for the future. 16 10:1 1672 Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC Pope Francis High School 5
Desired Qualities and Qualifications of the permanent Head of School A quote from Pope Francis Weary from his journey, Jesus does not hesitate to ask the Samaritan woman for something to drink. His thirst, however, is much more than physical: it is also a thirst for encounter, a desire to enter into dialogue with that woman and to invite her to make a journey of interior conversion. Jesus is patient, respectful of the person before him, and gradually reveals himself to her. His example encourages us to seek a serene encounter with others. To understand one another, and to grow in charity and truth, we need to pause, to accept and listen to one another. In this way, we already begin to experience unity. Unity grows along the way; it never stands still. Unity happens when we walk together. Homily at second Vespers on the solemnity of the conversion of St. Paul, Jan. 25, 2015 communion with the Church, required servant leader who embraces, models and champions the school s Catholic values and mission educational field with significant and proven instructional, advancement executive administration experience in a college preparatory setting stakeholders in an ambitious, fast-paced, and results-oriented period of cultural change and institution-building highly visible public face of Pope Francis High School in building constructive relationships with all stakeholders that inspire crucial support in its fundraising and enrollment initiatives while ensuring academic excellence for all students in a data-driven and strength-based curriculum that instills life-long Catholic values and a strong commitment to community service programs faculty and support staff with a commitment and passion for excellence in achieving the school s mission student assessment learning community and external constituencies plus 6 Pope Francis High School Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC
FAST FACTS About Springfield and the Pioneer Valley Springfield is the third largest city in Massachusetts and fourth largest in New England (behind Boston, Worcester, and Providence). Historically the first Springfield in the United States, it s notable as the birthplace of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, as well as the city in which James Naismith invented basketball. It is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Springfield Thunderbirds AHL hockey team. In the Pioneer Valley, you can explore the vibrant nightlife of big cities, the lively college towns of Northampton and Amherst plus traditional New England towns and historic villages. Along the way, you ll discover varied funfilled attractions and distinctive distractions. Getting around the region is easy too, thanks to major interstate highways 90 and 91, as well as scenic country roads that invite you to find out what s just around the bend. Known as the Crossroads of New England, the region is close enough to everything-only a 30 minute drive from Hartford, CT, 90 minutes from Boston, and 2.5 hours from New York City. The Berkshires, and its four seasons of culture, history and outdoor adventure is a short 60 minute drive away. If air is your preferred form of travel, Hartford s Bradley International Airport affords residents the opportunity to travel the world and is only 30 minutes away. In an economic and cultural partnership with Hartford, Connecticut, the Springfield- Hartford region constitutes what is known as New England s Knowledge Corridor - the second-largest concentration of institutions of higher learning in New England (after nearby Greater Boston) offering proximity to some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Often called The City of Homes because of its abundance of historic and contemporary housing, the Springfield real estate markets affords home ownership opportunities which are surprisingly far less than other metropolitan areas its size. The average single family home in Springfield sold for $131,700 in 2015. You would be hard-pressed to find a more affordable region of New England that offers the bountiful amenities existing in the Greater Springfield and surrounding Pioneer Valley areas. Springfield has ample 2500 acres of green space and parks, offers high-quality educational opportunities, and is home to a wonderful museum group and a first-rate resident Symphony Orchestra, as well as many other amenities, and arts & entertainment venues. This vibrant and diverse city of over 150,000 offers wonderful restaurants featuring authentic international cuisine. More than 40 languages are spoken by Springfield residents, giving the city a truly international flavor. The city and surrounding Pioneer Valley features many hidden gems, and you will find people with an impressive variety of interests. Springfield truly is the big city with the small town feel! 39% 36 64% Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC Pope Francis High School 7
To Apply 8 Pope Francis High School Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC
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