Opportunity Profile Middle School Principal Friends Christian School, Yorba Linda, California Friends Christian School (www.friendschristian.org) (FCS) is one of the largest Preschool-8th grade Christian Schools in the country. Currently serving over 900 students on two campuses, the mission of Friends Christian School is to develop, nurture and equip students to positively impact their world for Jesus Christ. Overview Located in beautiful Yorba Linda, California, Friends Christian School is a ministry of Friends Church Yorba Linda and Rose Drive Friends Church. The Middle School (grades 5-8) is located on the ten-acre property shared with Rose Drive Friends Church, which includes sports fields and a gymnasium. FCS provides a biblically integrated curricular and extra-curricular program that meets the needs of the whole child: spiritual, academic, emotional, physical and social. FCS is accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and received accreditation for six years in 2012. A School Board that is comprised of twelve members, five representing each of the two sponsoring churches and two at-large members, governs Friends Christian School. Board members are currently selected by the leadership of their respective churches and have a long history and practice with the Carver model of policy governance. In addition, Board members provide guidance, counsel and support to the Friends Christian School Middle School Principal and ministry. The Opportunity Over the years, FCS has developed an outstanding reputation in the private Christian School marketplace of Southern California. At Friends, students learn in a caring, Christ-centered environment from teachers who effectively integrate faith and academics from a distinctly Christian worldview. Teachers are credentialed by the State of California and many hold graduate degrees. It is well known as an exceptional workplace as well as an exceptional school. Staff retention rates are much higher than average and multiple faculty and administrative team members bring over 25 years of service to the school. Parents, who fondly recall their own years at Friends, are now sending their own children to the school, and several teachers enjoy working in the same space where they once occupied a desk. Over time the Friends experience has generated a loyal and committed constituency that desires to see Friends Christian School flourish for generations to come.
The mission of Friends, to develop, nurture, and equip students to positively impact their world for Christ, continues to drive all aspects of the school system. The incoming Middle School Principal of Friends will be called on to expand and enhance the influence of this great school, while maintaining the integrity of the school s mission. Friends Christian School desires to welcome a visionary Christian leader and educator who will work with a highly experienced team to meet current challenges, maximize potential, and position the school to continue its legacy as a school of choice in the greater Orange County region. In a complex and changing world, Friends upholds a vision to provide an outstanding, whole child educational experience for students. This prepares FCS students to make a positive difference for Jesus Christ in the culture. The right candidate will whole-heartedly embrace the value of a biblical worldview while understanding the fundamental principles of education that do not change. This leader will champion the cause of Christian education while moving confidently to ensure that Friends maintains a high standard of leading-edge practices. The right leader will shape an environment that empowers every student to thrive on whatever path they choose for high school, college and beyond. This will include helping make the right choices about curriculum, increasing the accessibility of technology for the classroom, and working with school leaders to effectively equip and support the educators tasked with implementing best practices. The position also requires the leader to provide ongoing support to teachers through the clinical supervision process, as well as managing the site s support staff. The Middle School Principal will inspirationally call people to the highest standards of faith-based educational excellence, while moving forward with sensitivity to the pace, timing and communication of selected improvements. The Candidate First and foremost, the ideal Middle School Principal for Friends Christian School will be a committed follower of Jesus Christ who consistently models a vibrant, authentic Christ-centered life. He or she will be known as a warm and engaging servant-leader who demonstrates consistency between words and actions and is well grounded in biblical principles and the wisdom of on the-job experience. The right candidate is known as a person of integrity and high moral character whose humble confidence is drawn from personal security and understanding of their identity in Christ. Ideally, the chosen candidate will view the Middle School Principal opportunity as a mission and call, not just a job. Friends Christian School will welcome a leader who is friendly, approachable, visible and relational. The right person will enjoy getting to know the faculty, parents and students by name and will enter the school with a desire to listen, understand and build relationships before initiating changes or new directions. Taking time to know and be known will help to build the kind of trust and followership necessary to lead Friends into a dynamic, bright future. The next Middle School principal of FCS is an experienced educational professional who holds an appropriate graduate degree and has leadership experience in school administration. This goal-oriented leader will gain results by maximizing the potential of the school through creativity, innovation and out of the box thinking. He or she will enjoy encouraging and motivating the team to achieve the very best for FCS. By setting clear standards, defining objectives, providing professional growth opportunities, and recognizing victories, this leader 2
will generate energy and excitement around the potential impact and effectiveness of Friends Christian Middle School. Understanding the highly collaborative nature of education, the ideal candidate will effectively work with the Board, administrative team and teachers. Not prone to leveraging positional authority, the right Middle School Principal for Friends will inspire confidence and followership through careful communication. This leader will effectively balance the need for broad listening and input with timeliness, and will consider what is in the best interest of the students as a standard by which good decisions are made. Candidate Criteria A deep, personal faith in Jesus Christ and a high personal value of faith-based education. Physically, mental, and occupational capability of performing assigned tasks. A thorough knowledge and understanding of the philosophy and objectives of FCS and must be in agreement with the Statement of Faith adopted by the School Board. Candidate Qualifications Valid state teaching credential Master s degree, preferably in the field of educational leadership ACSI administrative credential A minimum of five years teaching experience is preferred School administration experience is preferred Christian school experience is preferred Job Description Under the supervision of the Superintendent, the Middle school principal shall be one who is committed to his/her work as a God-given ministry, with the motivation to please God and bring honor to Him. The principal is responsible for providing, within the framework of Board Policies and Procedures, leadership in all matters pertaining to the general operation of the Middle School. Spiritual Leadership Provide a school climate where a positive Christian attitude can prevail. Provide spiritual leadership to staff, students, and parents. Provide an atmosphere where effective communication among administrators, staff, and parents can take place. Curriculum and Instruction Provide leadership in the implementation and evaluation of the instructional program at the Middle School (Grades 5-8). Provide leadership to promote an ongoing program of professional development for all staff. 3
Provide leadership to ensure that adequate facilities, curriculum, records, and supplies are available and maintained for the Middle School. Articulate and assist in implementation of the middle school curricular program. Work with teachers and students to provide appropriate chapels and co-curricular activity programs. Supervision Conduct a formal observation on each member of the teaching staff as prescribed by school policy. Conduct informal observations on each member of the teaching staff on a regular basis. Observe first year teachers and those identified as having instructional difficulties on a more frequent basis. Meet with each member of the teaching staff for an evaluation conference on or before contract issuance of each school year. Conduct informal observations of the support staff as needed. Meet with each member of the support staff for evaluations as needed. Administration and Organization Assume the responsibility for the satisfactory maintenance of the school facilities. Maintain proper schedules, classes, assignments, staffing, and policies to ensure the smooth operation of the school. Provide guidance and counseling for teachers, parents, and students as needed. Conduct thorough interviews for employment and recommend potential teaching staff candidates to the Superintendent for final approval. Inform Superintendent of needs, concerns, and successes of the school. Assume responsibility for providing annual Middle School budget goals. Monitor/oversee the implementation of the Middle School budget. Provide information and guidance for students, parents, and staff regarding high school entrance options. Delegate responsibilities as appropriate. Comply with state laws and policies. Submit written reports to the School Board and attend all School Board meetings, as requested. Attend ACSI Professional Development offerings as approved in the annual budget. Provide annual opportunities for faculty and staff to receive Professional Development through ACSI and other quality providers. Accept responsibility for the total operation of the Middle School program Carry out all other duties assigned by the Superintendent. 4
Inquiry Process If, after reading this description, you have some interest in the position and you feel you may meet the qualifications for the role, you are invited to submit your resume for consideration. If you know of someone who may be a fit, for this position at Friends Christian School you are invited to forward this profile for consideration. We believe that one can learn only so much from a resume. In order to help us get a more complete picture of you and your interest in Friends Christian School, please provide us with succinct, written responses to the following questions in addition to your resume: 1. Describe your faith in Jesus Christ. Tell us how you came to personal faith, something about your journey. How do you currently practice your faith (church involvement, prayer life, Bible study and service)? 2. What is it about the opportunity at Friends Christian School that attracts you to this position? 3. What experiences as an educational professional have prepared you to lead Friends Christian Middle School? Provide two or three specific examples of situations you have dealt with that you believe demonstrate your leadership abilities. 4. Describe four to five of your core strengths. Provide specific examples of situations where you utilized your core strengths to build forward momentum for your school. Please submit these responses along with your resume (in Word or PDF format) via email to: Dr. Jerry Haddock Acting Headmaster Friends Christian School 4231 Rose Drive Yorba Linda, CA 92886-1635 jerryhaddock@friendschristian.org 5