St. Anne Catholic School invites applications and nominations for the position of Principal. This is a
rare and compelling opportunity to lead a beloved, mission-driven institution through a landmark
season of renewal — one that will define the school's legacy for the next generation of young
disciples.
SCHOOL AT A GLANCE
Founded 1951
Location Rock Hill, South Carolina
Diocese Diocese of Charleston
Grades Served K3 – Grade 7 (2026–27) | 8th Grade Returns: 2027–28
High School Feasibility Study Underway — Rebuild Discussion in Progress
Enrollment ~320 Students
Report To Parish Administrator, St. Anne Parish
Application Deadline April 1, 2026
ABOUT ST. ANNE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Founded in 1951, St. Anne Catholic School has served the York County community for over 75
years — forming young disciples of Christ while delivering academic excellence rooted in Catholic
tradition. The school holds a distinguished place in South Carolina history: following the Supreme
Court's landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, St. Anne became the first racially
integrated school in the state, a testament to its enduring commitment to faith, equity, and
community.
Today, St. Anne enters an exciting Season of Renewal. Anchored by four institutional pillars —
Catholic Identity, Governance and Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Operational Vitality — the
school is sharpening its focus on long-term strategic growth while preserving the warm,
mission-centered culture that has defined it for generations.
DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMS & FEATURES
- John Paul the Great Program for the Arts
- STEM and Care for Creation Focus (2026-27)
- Pope Francis Center for Student Success
- Traditional, student-centered, inclusive academic program
- Campus Ministry, Prayer & Sacraments, Service Learning
- 74+ year legacy of faith, integration, and community
THE OPPORTUNITY
St. Anne Catholic School seeks a dynamic, Christ-centered leader to serve as its next Principal.
This is an entrepreneurial leadership opportunity for a mission-driven educator who can inspire a
faith community, steward institutional growth, and lead long-term strategic planning. The Principal
reports to the Parish Administrator and serves as the chief steward of the school's four pillars.
The ideal candidate combines a deep Catholic faith with the financial acumen, organizational agility,
and entrepreneurial mindset required to lead a mission-driven institution through a period of
strategic growth and renewal.
Looking ahead, the school is restructuring: 8th grade returns in the 2027–28 school year, and a high
school rebuild feasibility study is under discussion. The incoming Principal will play a central role in
shaping St. Anne's vision for the next chapter of its history.
PILLAR I: CATHOLIC IDENTITY
The Catholic identity of St. Anne is not a program — it is the soul of everything the school does. The
Principal is the primary faith leader of the community, modeling discipleship and ensuring Catholic
values permeate curriculum, culture, and community life.
- Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, with a sincere and active faith life
- Champion Catholic faith formation as the foundation of all academic and extracurricular
- programming
- Model attentiveness to the life-giving presence of God and inspire faculty and staff to do the
- same
- Be committed to the Diocese of Charleston's vision, mission, and philosophy for Catholic
- education
- Foster a community of care reflecting the faith, service, and diversity of the Catholic
- community in Rock Hill
PILLAR II: GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP
Effective governance and visionary leadership are essential to St. Anne's ability to fulfill its mission.
The Principal must be a collaborative, decisive, and entrepreneurial leader who can navigate
complexity, build strong teams, and align all stakeholders around a shared vision.
- Bring an entrepreneurial mindset — proactively identifying opportunities for growth,
- innovation, and sustainability
- Lead with clarity and decisiveness while remaining collaborative and consultative with faculty,
- staff, parish, and diocese
- Demonstrate experience with Catholic school governance and the NSBECS four-pillar
- framework
- Manage the strategic reintegration of 8th grade (2027–28) and support the high school rebuild
- feasibility process
- Serve as a credible, visible advocate for St. Anne in the broader community, diocese, and
- prospective family marketplace
- Act as a catalyst for change while honoring the school's rich heritage and traditions
PILLAR III: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
St. Anne delivers a rigorous, student-centered academic program that forms the whole child —
intellectually, spiritually, and socially. The Principal is the instructional leader of the school,
responsible for sustaining a culture of learning, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrate expertise in curriculum implementation, instructional leadership, and academic
- program evaluation
- Foster a climate of intellectual curiosity and a genuine love of learning in every classroom
- Drive faculty professional development, evaluation, and growth through coaching and
- Learning Community participation
- Support and expand signature programs: John Paul the Great Arts Program, STEM and Care
- for Creation, and the Pope Francis Center for Student Success
- Recruit, retain, and develop mission-aligned, high-quality teachers
- Use data and evidence to drive programmatic decisions and ensure every student succeeds
PILLAR IV: OPERATIONAL VITALITY
A thriving Catholic school requires sound financial stewardship, strong enrollment, and operational
discipline. The Principal must be as comfortable with a budget spreadsheet as with a classroom
walk-through — understanding that operational health directly enables the school's mission.
- Demonstrate financial acumen: budget management, tuition-based revenue models, grants,
- and development
- Approach enrollment management strategically — recruiting new families while deepening
- relationships with current ones
- Understand the financial dynamics unique to a parochial school, including the parish-school
- resource relationship
- Bring an entrepreneurial approach to identifying new revenue streams, cost efficiencies, and
- partnership opportunities
- Oversee compliance with diocesan policies and state requirements while maintaining efficient
- daily operations
- Develop and execute strategic plans reflecting both near-term priorities and the school's
- long-term vision
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
- Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church
- Master's degree (education, leadership, or related field)
- Previous teaching and administrative experience at the elementary or middle school level
- Demonstrated commitment to Catholic education and the Diocese of Charleston's vision and mission
STRONGLY PREFERRED
- Experience with Catholic school governance and the NSBECS four-pillar framework
- Track record of budget management, financial planning, and/or development in an educational setting
- Experience leading enrollment growth and community engagement initiatives
- Background in strategic planning and organizational change management
- Entrepreneurial leadership experience — building programs, partnerships, or initiatives from the ground up
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit:
- Cover Letter
- Résumé with References
- Salary Requirements
SUBMIT TO: info@stanneschool.net
LEARN MORE: www.stanneschool.com
WORK LOCATION: St. Anne Parish Campus, Rock Hill, South Carolina
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submission.
St. Anne Catholic School is an equal opportunity employer and a ministry of St. Anne Parish in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
