Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart

Head of School

July 2023

Houston, TX 77024

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1960, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is an independent, all-girls Catholic day school. Situated on a lovely campus in a wooded residential section of town, it is distinctive for the way it builds strong bonds between students and among families; lifelong friendships start at Duchesne.  The school provides a rigorous and stimulating college preparatory education carefully designed to empower young girls to think critically, build community, act ethically, and find their voices.

With a student population of 745, Duchesne Academy is intentional about making every student feel known, and there is a deep sense of community among students and faculty. The school welcomes students from 71 different zip codes and 10 foreign countries of which 51 percent are Catholic.

Duchesne Academy seeks a dynamic, faith-filled Catholic Head of School to begin July 2023. The successful candidate will be an experienced leader devoted to Duchesne’s mission, the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria, and college preparatory programs. The Head of School reports to the Board of Trustees and serves as the school’s academic leader, responsible for fostering a climate of excellence and moral development among students, faculty, and staff. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a highly regarded independent school with an unwavering commitment to student success and an enduring grounding in its Catholic identity.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is one of the leading independent schools in the city of Houston and is a model for educating young women and for preparing them for success in the world. The school is known for its strong community and how it forges deep bonds with its families. The school is a forward looking and dynamic learning environment that is now seeking a Head of School who will advance the Duchesne’s mission and serve as a collaborative and uplifting leader for the entire school community.

In addition to being immersed and actively engaged in the daily life and operations of running this distinguished and complex K-12 school, the new Head will be expected to:

• Maintain the school’s Catholic identity and provide leadership consistent with the Church’s teaching;
• Continue to center all decision-making in the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria;
• Ensure that the academic program continuously serves all students at the highest level;
• Employ great skill, wisdom, and humility in navigating differing perspectives and resolving conflicts; and making room at the table for all;
• Sustain the current initiatives to strengthen all aspects of the program, specifically by adding to the athletic offerings and sustaining development in the arts:
• Lead the effort to recognize and reward the dedication and excellence of the outstanding faculty who are the heart and soul of the school;
• Continue to inspire and increase a culture of philanthropy which could supplement the operating budget and augment the school’s endowment; and
• Actively engage the alumnae in the life of the school today and derive benefit from their life experiences.

TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current resumé;
• A packet of three writing samples or previously used communications to constituents (e.g., article, speech, blog post, etc.) pertaining to leadership and/or educational issues.

Should you advance in the search, you will eventually also be asked to share a list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission). Materials should be sent to:

Robert Vitalo

Vice President, Search and Consulting Practices

robert.vitalo@carneysandoe.com

Rhonda Durham

Senior Consultant

rhonda.durham@carneysandoe.com

DESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A visible, accessible, and empathetic leader with a proven track record of success;
• A deep understanding of and commitment to all-girls’ education;
• A Catholic, ready to embrace, prioritize, and model the Goals and Criteria of the Sacred Heart mission;
• An energetic and visionary presence who inspires teamwork to design strategy and execute plans;
• Superb oral and written communication skills, and the ability to engage with various members of the community in small and large settings;
• Good at conflict resolution and able to take decisive actions in response to crisis;
• An eagerness to work with faculty and administrators to plan for and execute a pedagogy and curriculum that evolves to meet the needs of students of a Pre-K–12 academic program;
• Educational leadership and management experience, including agility and the ability to supervise individuals and to structure and manage systems of organization, communication and accountability; and
• A thoughtful and reflective listener, who is courageous, confident, respectful, affable, and kind.