Founding Head of School

Overview

The inaugural Head of School at Nativity High School is a rare and remarkable leadership opportunity set to commence in June 2024, or preferably earlier: Nativity is located in the heart of the vibrant city of San Francisco and offers an exceptional candidate the opportunity to build a high school from the ground up within a well-resourced and active Catholic community.

The ideal candidate is a practicing Catholic with a deep commitment to his/her faith. He/She will build close-knit connections with students, families, and faculty. This mission-driven leader demonstrates exceptional emotional intelligence, embraces a servant leadership mentality and has a unique talent for finding and retaining extraordinary teachers. The Head of School will shape Nativity from its inception, leaving an enduring legacy.

About Nativity

Nativity was formed in November of 2022 as a result of the community’s desire for a Classical Catholic high school for the students of Stella Maris and other Catholic families in the city. Class sizes are small (20 maximum per classroom) and an affordable tuition level makes the school accessible to a wide range of income levels. Nativity’s board of directors is composed of five optimistic and grateful people who embody a “working board” mentality in support of the Head of School. Nativity is also fortunate to have an accomplished Advisory board including the former head of Admissions at the University of Notre Dame, the leader of the ACE teaching program (John Schoenig), a beloved Catholic artist (Tim Schmalz, whose work is installed in the center of St. Peter’s Square), and Alex Jones, the founder and CEO of Hallow.

Nativity is an independent Catholic school but is formally recognized and supported by the Archdiocese of San Francisco. It will offer a student experience that is completely unique to the area. While classical in its foundations, Nativity also devotes larger than average class time to Mathematics creating a wholistic and academically rigorous environment.

Opportunities and Challenges

Nativity is set up to flourish. The school will build on the success of the Pre-K – 8 Stella Maris Academy (Stella Maris). The campus is situated in a prime San Francisco neighborhood and benefits from a significant in-place infrastructure including a large modern science lab, light-filled classrooms with 14-foot ceilings, and a stunningly beautiful church and chapel on the premises. Among the opportunities and challenges are:

• Creating a culture of academic excellence;

• Developing a classical curriculum that resonates with students;

• Recruiting and retaining devoted and mission-driven faculty;

• Inspiring students by joyfully practicing the faith.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes

Ideal candidates will offer the following qualifications and qualities:

Ideal candidates will offer the following qualifications and qualities:

• A track record of entrepreneurial success in academic environments;

• A desire to inspire every student;

• Demonstrated executive leadership skills, including sound financial management;

• Exceptional oral and written communication abilities, with a passion for telling the Nativity story to students, parents, teachers, and donors;

• Enthusiasm for the vital work of Catholic education at a challenging time in a city searching for truth, goodness, and beauty.

• An eagerness to embrace Nativity’s mission: “Our mission is to imitate Christ in the way we see, teach and love our students.”

To Apply

Interested applicants should contact the Carney Sandoe team, in confidence. Candidates will ultimately submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest;

• A current résumé;

• A completed Candidate Questionnaire (provided by the Carney Sandoe team);

• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission).

Please reach out to Beth Dietz and Michael Truesdell with any questions, referrals or to express your interest.

Beth Dietz, Consultant: bethdietz@carneysandoe.com

Michael Truesdell, Consultant: michael.truesdell@carneysandoe.com