Mother Seton School

The mission of Mother Seton School, a vibrant, Christ-centered community, is to inspire students to strive for academic excellence and dedicate their lives to love and serve Christ in the tradition of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Vincent de Paul.

Today, Mother Seton School, located less than one mile from the site of Elizabeth's original school, is an important partner for many Maryland and Pennsylvania families as it continues the Seton Legacy of Catholic Education.

MSS boasts an affordable, high-quality Catholic education (preschool through eighth grade) focused on the whole child and welcoming families of many faiths. Our outstanding STEM-based curriculum (science, technology, engineering and math) helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing them to meet the challenges of the 21st century, while our award-winning music and arts program stimulates creativity and self-expression. As a certified Maryland Green School, MSS operates an ecofriendly campus, which includes a Monarch Butterfly Way Station, nature trail, gardens and a solar energy station. Our 15-acre campus nestled in the Catoctin Valley encourages outdoor exploration and play, while our proximity to the National Shrine of our patron saint and foundress allows students to develop a strong sense of spirituality that is reflected in school liturgies, our Prayer Partner program and community service.

Mother Seton School offers a science lab, computer lab and integrated classroom technology, a middle school Spanish program and the Mother Seton Learning Center, which provides intervention and enrichment services when needed. Students may take part in a variety of extracurricular activities, including band and chorus, STEM clubs, a young writers group, Art Angels, Girl Scouts, Snow Sports Club, Spanish Club, Healthy Eating Club, Student Council and the Seton Chapter of the Vincentian Marian Youth, an international service organization.

Mother Seton School is sponsored by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise Province. Provincial leaders provide direction in school governance and formation for mission, and appoint the principal and chairperson of the Board of Directors.

The Position:

The principal at Mother Seton School is the focal point for both the academic and Catholic religious standards in the school. This leadership role requires a person whose academic credentials and faith practice has prepared them to “set the bar” for faculty, students and others to achieve their full potential as Catholics and members of a high achieving elementary school. The position is expected to continue the 200-year tradition of promoting the Vincentian/Setonian charism and facilitating a culture of service, devotion and prayer.

The next principal will be the first lay leader since the original school was founded nearby by Mother Seton nearly two hundred years ago. There will continue to be members of the Daughters of Charity as part of the school faculty, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of Mother Seton School. This academic leader is challenged to implement the Mission of the school in nourishing Mind, Body and Spirit in the tradition of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Vincent de Paul.

The principal reports to the Board of Directors and is expected to maintain effective working relationships with parents, community leaders, and the community of the Daughters of Charity. In matters of curriculum, the Archdiocese of Baltimore establishes standards which must be maintained by all Catholic schools within the auspice of the Archdiocese. Close collaboration with the Superintendent of Catholic schools and her staff will foster this synergistic relationship.

The principal is expected to provide a personal and professional model of behavior, coordinate the resources necessary to catechize students and faculty, and insure exceptional academic outcomes as the result of a rigorous curriculum. This visionary will work with development and marketing offices within the school to maintain and increase enrollment through effectively communicating the value proposition of a rigorous Catholic education.  

Position requirements:

• Practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church whose life, practice and leadership fosters strong Catholic identity across the spectrum of students, faculty, parents, and community.
• Master’s in education or related with minimum five years education administration with appropriate certifications/licenses.
• Has previous strategic planning, financial and collaborative management experiences which achieves results and maintains the dignity of staff.
• Has oversight and responsibility to hire a quality staff, provide resources and support to nurture success and challenge people to achieve results beyond their expectations.
• Current and fluent in latest academic approaches in STEM, national scholarship and Catholic education.
• Can develop into the “face of the school” to attract community resources, donor support and a positive reputation of Mother Seton School.

To Apply:

Please Send:

• Cover letter describing how your background, training and passion fit the needs of MSS
• Current resume
• Supplemental material if you wish the search committee to consider (we will advise)

Via Email: Arlene McSweeney, Ed.D., Arlene@CatholicRecruiter.com

**Application deadline: February 28, 2019 (Note:  If we get the desired candidate, we might close this position early.)

The school's website is: http://www.mothersetonschool.org/