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Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
Washington, D.C.
About Georgetown Visitation
Founded in 1799 by the Sisters of the Visitation, Georgetown Visitation is an all-girls college preparatory school rooted in the Roman Catholic faith and Salesian tradition. Our mission is to empower our students to meet the demands and challenges of today’s rapidly changing and morally complex world. We guide our students to become self-reliant, intellectually mature, and morally responsible women of faith, vision, and purpose.
Georgetown Visitation is thriving, forward-looking, and committed to providing an exceptional experience, enriched by the traditions and rich legacy that make Visitation unique. We provide the spiritual grounding, rigorous academics, diverse extracurricular opportunities, and supportive and joyous community that enable our students to cultivate and share their God-given gifts. Our students graduate with the intellectual curiosity, critical thinking skills, creativity, leadership skills, and commitment to living their faith through service to others. Our rigorous college preparatory program, including 30 Advanced Placement and Honors classes, is taught by award-winning faculty members. With an average class size of 15 and a low student-teacher ratio (1:9), each student receives a high level of attention. Students also have many opportunities to explore their interests and build leadership skills by participating in our award-winning athletic and performing arts programs, Christian service opportunities, and more than 50 co-curricular clubs. Our cherished annual traditions of Marshmallow Roast, Gold-White, Junior Ring Ceremony, and Class Retreats provide special opportunities for students to build community and create lifelong friends. Learn more at www.visi.org.
Position Summary
We are seeking a dynamic leader with a demonstrated commitment to Catholic identity, faith formation, and academic excellence to serve as our Principal. The Principal is the chief academic officer and oversees the day-to-day administration of the school. Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Head of School, the Principal provides mission and academic leadership, administers daily school operations, oversees student services, communicates effectively with school constituencies, and supports strategic initiatives at the direction of the Head of School and Board.
This role requires significant emotional intelligence and communication skills – an ability to actively listen and solicit feedback, a sensitivity to respond to different perspectives, and an adeptness at navigating complex challenges. As a practicing Catholic, the new Principal will embody and model the "Little Virtues" – such as kindness, gentleness, patience, and humility – extolled by St. Jane de Chantal, founder of the Visitation Order. This individual will work diligently to understand and lead through the challenges of an ever-changing world while protecting the never-changing values of our Catholic faith and Salesian tradition.
Key Responsibilities
Mission Leadership - Ensures the Catholic, Salesian charism of the school is visible, developed, and nurtured
- Actively supports the school’s mission; demonstrates an understanding of and enthusiasm for girls’ education, secondary education, and Catholic education
- Supports faculty and staff to integrate the mission of the school throughout the educational and co-curricular program
- Develops a program of discipline and student growth consistent with the Catholic, Salesian nature of the school, in partnership with the Dean of Students
- Ensures opportunity and support for a mission-integrated Campus Ministry program, in partnership with the Head of School and the Director of the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center
- Provides opportunities for faculty and staff development
- Works to create a diverse and inclusive school environment across all areas of school life
- Builds community through informal interactions with students, families, faculty, staff, and friends of the school
Academic Leadership - Leads the development of the academic vision and oversees the curriculum, effective instruction, and student assessment consistent with the mission and developmental needs of adolescent girls
- Promotes high academic standards and expectations for all students and faculty
- Oversees the Academic Dean, Dean of Faculty, academic Department Heads, College Counselors, and Director of Educational Technology to support the planning and evaluation of curriculum, instruction, and student services
- Participates in the observation and evaluation of faculty, in partnership with the Dean of Faculty
- Approves the assignment of teaching and other professional responsibilities as the needs of the school require, in partnership with the Academic Dean
Student Services Leadership - Supervises the Dean of Student Life in the implementation of a mission-aligned, dynamic student services program, to include effective disciplinary responses, opportunities for leadership, and co-curricular experiences; ensures varied opportunities and advances a sense of balance across co-curricular activities; promotes student leadership opportunities
School Administration - Ensures appropriate supervision of and support for administrative offices; implements clear policies and procedures effectively across all areas of school life
- Manages Education Administration, Summer Enrichment, and Graduation budgets; ensures effective budget management across all school-related departments in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer
- Hires, supervises, and evaluates administrative staff that report to the Principal
- Supervises and participates in the development and implementation of faculty and staff professional development programs
- Ensures compliance with DC and Archdiocesan policy, as applicable, in the operation of the school
- Oversees appropriate maintenance of school records
- Ensures compliance with DC and federal safety regulations; supports campus crisis response / communications plans to ensure safety of school community in partnership with the Head of School and Director of Communications
School Governance, Strategic Planning, & Communication - Partners with the Head of School to achieve the school’s strategic plans, implement policies, and communicate effectively
- Maintains accreditation of the school by the appropriate agency; serves as lead contact with educational accreditation association; works with all school constituencies to lead accreditation processes, establish school goals, and communicate visions for school growth effectively
- Attends Board of Directors meetings; delivers school life reports; serves on multiple standing and ad hoc Board committees to aid Board processes and deliberations
- Maintains effective communications within the school and with parents
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