Cheverus High School Announces Search for Principal
Cheverus High School, a co-educational, independent, college preparatory school in Portland, Maine sponsored by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), seeks an inspiring and visionary educational leader to become its next principal.
Founded in 1917, the mission of Cheverus High School is to prepare young men and women to become global citizens and lifelong learners by fostering intellectual, spiritual, physical, and personal excellence, according to the nearly 500-year-old Jesuit tradition. The School is recognized for its uncompromising academic, athletic and co-curricular excellence. Cheverus is committed to the Ignatian vision of “magis,” which challenges the entire School community to seek the “greater good” and to embody this by becoming men and women for others.
Nestled in the residential Back Cove neighborhood of the City of Portland, Cheverus enrolls more than 380 young men and women who are distinguished by impressive academic backgrounds, a commitment to service, and their accomplishments after graduation. Cheverus graduates matriculate at some of the finest post-secondary programs in the nation, distinguishing themselves as leaders within their communities and in their chosen professions in Maine and beyond.
In 2024, Cheverus High School was granted a ten-year continued accreditation by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) and commended for its “strong sense of community and care for each student as a whole person as inspired by the Cura Personalis philosophy. Every stakeholder, from students to parents to professionals, articulated that this element is central to Cheverus' daily experience and what separates an education at Cheverus from any other quality education.” In 2026-2027, Cheverus will be visited by a team of educators from Jesuit schools from throughout the Jesuit East Province for an Ignatian Sponsorship Review. The school last underwent such a review in 2019-2020 and is currently in the process of writing a self study in preparation for this next visit.
The Principal is the educational leader of the school, directly responsible to the President and, by extension, the Board of Trustees, for the development, administration, and operation of the academic, co-curricular and formational programs of the school, in addition to the planning, coordination and execution of the school’s educational policy. This responsibility demands a close working relationship with the President, the faculty, staff and students, as well as parents and the community at large. The Principal oversees the coordination of the administrative staff to which the actual operation of the school is delegated.
The Principal, along with the President, is a facilitator of the community of faith and bears the responsibility for the integration of faith and opportunities for spiritual growth within the school.
The Principal is, by definition, the principal teacher who models the school’s mission for students, parents and adults in the school community through her/his interactions with faculty, staff and students.
The Principal has the primary responsibility for achieving the mission of the school by maintaining and developing a school distinguished for its academic rigor, superior counseling and Instructional Support services, spiritual formation and programs to meet the co-curricular and extracurricular needs of “the whole person” for all students.
Under the leadership of the President, the Principal collaborates with the Assistant Principals, the Dean of Students, the Director of Campus Ministry, the Director of Athletics and other directors of school programs to ensure the effective operation of the school.
With the many demands of the position, the Principal should be urged to take good care of their spiritual and physical well-being and should be invited to make an annual Ignatian retreat.
The President formally evaluates the Principal’s performance on a systematic basis. The results of the President’s evaluation are shared with the Principal.
Selected Duties and Responsibilities
- Ensures that the Catholic and Jesuit character of the school is developed and nurtured.
- Assists the President and Board of Trustees in the development and the implementation of policy related to academics, student life, campus ministry and athletics.
- Hires, develops and supervises faculty and staff whose values are compatible with and supportive of the school’s mission and where necessary, terminates personnel after appropriate consultation with the President.
- Develops a shared educational vision for the school which is reflected in the curriculum, methods of instruction and assessment, utilization of technology and in professional development programs.
- Formulates educational and student life policies which are consistent with the Catholic, Jesuit mission of the school, in consultation with professional staff and the President.
- Works closely with the Dean of Students, Assistant Principal for Academics, directors and department chairs in teacher selection, teacher assignments, evaluation and development of curriculum and departmental budgets.
- Determines policies and ensures resources for campus ministry programs such as retreats, school liturgies, service programs for the Cheverus community in consultation with the Director of Campus Ministry and the President.
- Directs the faculty and staff orientation and personal, spiritual and professional development programs.
- Develops a faculty handbook in consultation with administrators and faculty and recommends the same for approval of the President.
- Observes and evaluates the Dean of Students, Assistant Principal for Academics, Athletic Director, Campus Minister Director and principal’s office administrative staff.
- Maintains effective communications and cultivates positive relationships with parents and other stakeholders of the school. Oversees the timely communication of school information to faculty, staff, students and parents.
- Oversees and communicates any decisions regarding the dismissal of students after consultation with the Dean of Students and/or the Assistant Principal for Academics.
- Directs the preparation of the school calendar and the formation of the budget for the Principal’s office and academic, pastoral and co-curricular programs subject to approval by the President.
- Works closely with the Assistant Principal for Academics in the appointment and evaluation of department chairs.
- Works closely with the Assistant Principal for Academics and the Dean of Students in exercising general supervision of student activities and programs, in the appointment and supervision of moderators and coaches.
- Ensures policies and procedures for a safe school environment. Oversees and verifies that planned fire, disaster and lockdown drills are conducted.
- Works with the President to ensure that the operation of school facilities supports the school’s program.
- Ensures compliance with State and Diocesan policy where applicable.
- Engages in personal, spiritual and professional development programs and participates in professional organizations including the Jesuit Schools Network.
- Serves as a member of the President's Leadership team, attends meetings and submits reports to the Board of Trustees and its subcommittees (as appointed), leads the Calendar Committee, Magis Council, and other programmatic committee meetin
Compensation and Benefits
A competitive salary and benefit package will be offered to help attract the best candidates for the Principal’s position.
The Principal Search Process
Interested candidates should click here to fill out an application and submit a resume and cover letter. Priority will be given to applications received before October 15, 2025. A confidential review of candidates - including invitations to first round Zoom interviews with a search committee - will be conducted following this October 15th priority date. Finalists will be invited to campus for visits with a variety of school stakeholders in early November with the goal of completing the search process by December 1st.
