Principal, St. Joseph School, Danbury 

Click here to view the Prospectus History Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, located along the Still River approximately 70 miles northeast of New York's city center. Danbury's population at the 2020 census was 86,518. Saint Joseph Parish was founded on June 7, 1905, as the second parish in the City of Danbury. Saint Joseph Parish School was opened on September 7, 1924, with 185 boys and 110 girls enrolled. The school was staffed by seven Sisters of Mercy. In 1953, the Diocese was canonically divided and Saint Joseph Parish and School passed from the Archdiocese of Hartford to the newly created Diocese of Bridgeport. In 1955, an addition to the school was built, enlarging the building to 17 classrooms and adding a library and gym. In 1970, to help defray the costs of maintaining the building, part of the school was rented to a city/state funded day care center - Action Day Care. The same year, a Kindergarten was started to help bolster the declining school population. In 1974, a lay principal was appointed to administer the school. In 1975, the remaining two Sisters of Mercy on staff were transferred, resulting in an all lay staff. Also, in 1975, the Kindergarten program was separated from the school and became a private, non-sectarian Pre-School and Kindergarten sponsored by the parish. In 1990, a full day Kindergarten program was opened by the school in addition to the Kindergarten programs offered by the parish sponsored organization. In 1933, St. Joseph School became a part of the Region IX Catholic School System of Greater Danbury. The original region contained 7 schools and 14 parishes. In July 1995, this region was split into two regions. In the early 2000's, Saint Joseph School became a Diocesan school with the city/state sponsored Pre-School program disbanding in 2006. Today St. Joseph School continues to serve the children from Danbury and its surrounding areas. Our faculty and staff include 16 lay teachers, 7 teacher assistants and a Sister of Saint Joseph. As a diverse school, Saint Joseph School, prides herself on educating students from all economic and cultural backgrounds. They currently offer 3-Year Old and 4-Year Old part-time and full-time Preschool programs. The children benefit from "hands-on" learning to develop large and small motor skills. In addition to the traditional curriculum, students experience enrichment classes in Art, Music, Physical Education, Library and Spanish. St. Joseph School's academic program uses a dynamic educational process which is cognizant of individual needs of the students. They extend opportunities for involvement, such as Choir, Band, National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, Yearbook, and many more. In all grade levels, students develop knowledge of Sacred Scripture, Sacraments, Catholic Doctrine, Liturgy and Worship. Students learn firsthand how to live a life of service to God by participating in school wide community service projects that extend to organization as well as the greater global community. St. Joseph School continues to actively work on their mission and rigorous curriculm that is designed to support the needs of 21st-century students. Job Description The St. Joseph School Principal is the leader of the school and is appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, reports to the Superintendent of Schools and works collaboratively with the Pastor, School Advisory Board, (SAB) and Home School Association, (HSA). The highest priority of the Principal is the building of a Christian community of faith that provides for the spiritual, moral, educational, intellectual, aesthetical, emotional, social, and physical needs of the students in the school. Overview The Principal's goal is to provide effective leadership in fulfilling and communicating the mission of the school to all constituents. The Principal is the overall leader and facilitator of the community of faith and bears responsibility for the integrity and practice of the spiritual life of the school. The Principal is responsible for maintaining and developing academic excellence, as well as providing ample programs to meet the faith formation and co-curricular and extra-curricular needs of the students. The Principal, assisted by the Business Manager and Bookkeeper, has the general charge and control of personnel and budget, its business affairs and its facilities. The Principal, assisted by the SAB, HSA, and the Coordinators of Advancement and Enrollment (if applicable), has the general charge of advancement programs; and is ultimately responsible for enrollment and fundraising. The Principal is evaluated by the OSS with input from key school constituents including the chair of the SAB, HSA, and the faculty and staff. Duties and Responsibilities To ensure the Catholic Identity of the school. To act as the educational leader of the school, responsible for its day-to-day operation; to direct the activities of the schools instructional and non-instructional staff in the performance of their duties. To function as the chief articulator of the school's programs, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and other information necessary to ensure that all constituencies are fully informed consistent with their individual roles. To observe, supervise, and help evaluate the faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum; to supervise the teaching process, and to review and evaluate the academic programs. To provide an orderly, controlled environment in which learning can take place and where a school climate is supportive and reflects our Catholic Identity. To be aware of the educational, physical, social, and psychological needs of the members of our school community and to develop plans for meeting these needs. To make recommendations to the Superintendent regarding the hiring and retention, and the assignment of faculty. To conduct regular meetings with faculty which will deal both with routine school matters and with the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest. To oversee the coordination of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activity programs of the school. To provide for the academic guidance of students; to maintain complete academic records on all students; to oversee the grading and the reporting of standards and methods used by teachers in measuring student achievement. To be a visible presence in all areas of the school. To prepare a master school class schedule and to assign teachers and students to classes and other obligations. To serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school procedures. To perform other duties as assigned. Desired Qualitities Working knowledge of and a strong commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church. Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church. Excellent communications skills including written, verbal, public speaking and presentation skills. Excellent human relations and interpersonal skills; must be a self-starter and be well-organized; must be a team player. Be available for evening/weekend meetings/events as necessary. Be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Proficiency in the use of computer technology including Microsoft Office and related educational technology. Previous Catholic School experience. Masters Degree. Valid Administrator's Certification for the state of Connecticut or another state. To Apply Given the desire for the new Principal to be in place well before the start of the new 2026 academic year, candidates are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically as separate documents (preferably as PDFs) the following materials: Formal cover letter expressing interest in the position and aligning your skills and experiences with the leadership needs of St. Joseph School, as stipulated above; Current résumé with all appropriate dates; Brief statement of educational or leadership philosophy and practice; List of at least five references with name, title, phone number and email address of each (References will not be contacted until a serious mutual interest is established, and not without the candidate's permission). All materials should be addressed to Mrs. Stacie Stueber , Superintendent of Schools , and emailed to Sharon Luciano , Executive Assistant to the Superintendent , at sharon.luciano@diobpt.org with the subject line St. Joseph Principal .