Holy Cross High School Waterbury, Connecticut President July 1, 2019 www.holycrosshs-ct.com
The Position Holy Cross High School seeks a visionary, mission-driven practicing Catholic to lead this high performing, co-educational institution and take it to the next level. Founded in 1968, the school is entering its sixth decade of exceptional service to families and students in the Greater Waterbury community. An Interim President has been appointed, who will work closely with the board and faculty to prepare the Holy Cross community for the arrival of the Permanent President in July 2019. This is an outstanding leadership opportunity for entrepreneurial candidates who seek that rare opportunity to build on a proven institutional platform and raise the profile and compelling value proposition of a high-performing Catholic secondary school. School History In answer to the need for an all-boys Catholic high school in the Waterbury area, ground was broken for Holy Cross High School on March 26, 1967. Enrollment had reached 1000 students by 1974, and the following year, Holy Cross merged with the all-girls Waterbury Catholic High School to become co-educational. Mission The Mission of Holy Cross High School is to assist in the total Christian education of young men and women. To accomplish this, Holy Cross High School, in cooperation with parents, provides a framework, which fosters integration of the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth of each individual. Holy Cross High School is an integral part of the mission of the Catholic Church and a proud member of the prominent network of schools and colleges sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross (CSC), which includes the University of Notre Dame. Globally, more than 90 schools and colleges are part of the Holy Cross consortium of educational institutions. Our special role at Holy Cross High School is founded on the love that Jesus Christ has for us. We believe this love will lead us to an awareness of the uniqueness of each person in the Holy Cross community. The school s purpose is to foster the development of conscience and a sense of responsibility in each member of the school community. We trust that the awareness of Christ s love for us will lead us to a Christian commitment which manifests love and concern for all. 1
Throughout its existence, Holy Cross has been shaped by the Brothers of Holy Cross, Moreau Province, in association with the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame and dedicated lay men and women. In a continuation of the legacy of the Venerable Basil Anthony Moreau, the Congregation of Holy Cross has established schools to cultivate minds and hearts and to serve the needs of the Church and the world. Holy Cross schools offer educational programs to a diverse group of students, fostering the gifts of those with whom and for whom they work. Holy Cross students learn to challenge prejudice and unjust networks of power and privilege, practicing the love, community, and care for others exemplified by Christ and his teachings. The School Holy Cross High School is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic school with a college preparatory program. The school aims to educate each student in mind, body, and soul, cultivating a student body prepared to make life choices inspired by faith and reason. In order to foster this intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual development, the school offers strong academics that transcend the traditional classroom; arts and athletics that prioritize teamwork, experimentation, and creativity; and service-based programs that strengthen the community s commitment to philanthropy and spiritual growth. Accredited by the Department of Education of the State of Connecticut and the New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges, Holy Cross is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association. Of the 433 enrolled students, 66% are Catholic, with the remainder spanning a full spectrum of faith traditions. Financial aid supports the school s mission to advance education for all: 70% of students receive funds that total 22% of total revenue. 2
Across the board, diversity is valued, and each individual s unique qualities are celebrated by the Holy Cross community. A dress code helps students to practice neatness, professionalism, and responsibility, reflecting the importance of academic endeavors and school tradition each and every day. Academics Holy Cross academics are global in scope and traditional in design. The curriculum is dynamic, diverse, and robust, with more than 100 courses, including numerous Honors and College Prep offerings as well as 12 Advanced Placement classes. Eighty-minute class periods foster in-depth discussion and individualized learning opportunities; a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1 and average class size of 20 mean that teachers know students needs and interests. Dedicated and experienced, 74% of teachers hold Master s degrees or higher, and faculty tenure averages 12 years. In keeping with the tenets of a Catholic education, the 38 teaching faculty at Holy Cross embrace the goal of holistic development. In addition to delving deep into traditional subject areas such as math, English, social studies, and science, students take world languages and electives in areas such as business, computer science, music, and art. Required religion courses include the study of Scripture, Christian Morality, Catholic Social Teaching, Church History, Lives of the Saints, World Religions, Development of Faith Through the Arts, Sacraments and Catholic Ethics. Across disciplines, academic resources such as the math lab and the after-school resource center, where students can work one-on-one with teachers and peer tutors, supplement regular classroom learning. Students are further supported by Holy Cross s strong guidance program, which cultivates personal, academic, college, and career decision-making. With specific priorities and goals for each class 3
year, students meet their advisors individually and and in groups. Freshman work to adjust to the high school environment, while sophomores broaden their scope, thinking toward eventual career goals. Junior year, college preparations begin in earnest, with guidance centering on standardized testing and college choice, while seniors submit final applications before preparing for their next transition. Athletics With 25 varsity and JV athletic teams, Holy Cross teaches teamwork, integrity, sportsmanship, and athleticism. Approximately 70% of Holy Cross students participate in athletics each year, competing in the Crusaders green and gold uniforms as part of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference and Naugatuck Valley Leave. A dedicated, experienced staff consisting of 60 coaches, a full-time athletic trainer, and the Director of Athletics teaches young athletes endurance, flexibility, and camaraderie in sports from lacrosse and soccer to dance and track. Recent state championships in baseball and softball and a league championship in boys swimming attest to the strength of the athletic program. College Placement The following is a partial list of college acceptances for Holy Cross seniors in the years 2011-2016: Albertus Magnus College American University Assumption College Bentley University Boston College Bryant University Carnegie Mellon Catholic University College of the Holy Cross College of William & Mary Cornell University Dartmouth College Eastern CT State University Emory University Fairfield University Fordham University George Washington University Georgetown University Ithaca College Loyola University of Chicago Maine Maritime Academy Manhattan College Marist College Massachusetts College of Pharmacy Mount Saint Mary College Naugatuck Valley Community College New York University Northeastern University Pennsylvania State University Providence College Quinnipiac University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rochester Institute of Technology Roger Williams University Sacred Heart University Salve Regina University Smith College Southern CT State University Springfield College St. Charles Borromeo Seminary St. Edward s University St. Michael s College Stonehill College Syracuse University Trinity College Tufts University United States Military Academy at West Point University of Connecticut University of Hartford University of Hawaii University of Notre Dame Vanderbilt University Villanova University Western CT State University Western New England University Yale University 4
Arts The arts are another important facet of the Holy Cross experience, with numerous musical and theatrical opportunities as well as a full slate of fine arts classes for painters, sculptors, and animators. The music department offers vocal and instrumental courses for students at all levels of experience from the Concert Band and Choir to the Guitar & Bass Ensemble while a student cast and crew comes together to create each year s Fall Drama and Spring Musical. Holy Cross provides an art education that identifies and develops intrinsic artistic talents, teaching process, discipline, and confidence. In the process, student artists develop habits of mind that translate from their work in the studio and on the stage to all of their future endeavors. School Life Life at Holy Cross extends far beyond the confines of the conventional school day, as most students choose to stay past dismissal to participate in a wide array of co-curricular activities. More than 40 student clubs allow students to try new things and form new friendships whether they are building leadership skills as members of Student Council; singing in Crosstones, the student a cappella group; or reporting a piece for the Cross Chronicle. In keeping with the Holy Cross mission, service is another integral part of the school program, with students taking part in a variety of efforts to bolster the school and broader community. At Holy Cross, there is no community service requirement; instead, students choose to donate their time because they believe in the causes they are supporting. Campus Ministry aligns with this service work, asking students to reflect on their faith and feel empowered to practice compassion, cultivate 5
care, and share their beliefs with others. Daily prayer is offered each morning in the school chapel, and masses are celebrated on special days throughout the year, while Peer Ministers lead retreats, services, and other activities. Physical Campus The Holy Cross campus consists of 37 acres in the suburban West End of Waterbury, CT, with facilities that support the school s program in academics, arts, and athletics. The Brother James Kane Library Media Center, science labs, guidance complex, digital classrooms, and state-of-the-art language lab provide indispensable resources for student learning, while music rooms, a 740-seat auditorium, and the Alix Family Gallery in the Art & Technology Center offer space for students artists to create. The 1,900-square-foot Stephen J. Ross Memorial Fitness Center and Timothy J. McDonald Gymnasium give student athletes room to play and practice, while the Monteiro Family Sports Medicine Facility provides a training and rehabilitation space on par with that of a Division 3 college. Waterbury, Connecticut Located just over 70 miles northeast of New York City, Waterbury is the fifth-largest city in the state of Connecticut. With a population of 110,366, the city is comprised of a diverse collection of neighborhoods, historically home to Waterbury s many immigrant communities. A center of industry in the first half of the 20th century, Waterbury earned the nickname Brass City ; after a period of economic decline in the 1970s and 80s, the city is currently in a period of job growth, with hospitals and government offices ranking among Waterbury s top employers. 6
Rated among 100 Top Places to Raise a Family, Waterbury offers both a historic downtown and suburban neighborhoods. In addition to the Waterbury Public Schools, the city is home to several other Catholic and religious schools, several of which cater to Waterbury s growing Orthodox Jewish community. There are five colleges and universities within the city, including regional campuses of the University of Connecticut and Western Connecticut State. Opportunities and Challenges This is a high-performing, independent Catholic secondary school perfectly positioned for further growth and prominence. The school is well capitalized and highly regarded throughout the Greater Waterbury community, and is considered the school of choice for local families seeking a highquality, values-based coeducational experience for their children. The Holy Cross culture is also valued for its earnest combination of warmth and inclusivity infused with high expectations and an abiding appreciation for the distinct gifts that each student brings to the community. That said, there is also an awareness among key constituents that the school has been largely inwardly focused for much of its distinguished fifty years of service, and that now is the time for a new kind of outward-facing, high-profile, entrepreneurial leadership to drive the school to new levels of excellence. To accommodate this new leadership emphasis, the board has decided to restore the President/Principal leadership model, which it eliminated several years ago. The next President of the school will have an opportunity to demonstrate the efficacy and elegance of the President/ Principal model. In particular, the new President will be expected to serve as the face of the school in the community, raising the profile and value proposition of the school, exhibiting a welcoming Catholic identity, and 7
reinforcing the powerful Holy Cross brand. Fundraising and friend-raising will be critical elements of presidential performance, along with providing a bold new vision for the school and creating a culture of accountability across the campus. A new organizational structure will also be required to accommodate the return of the President/Principal leadership model. Desired Qualities and Qualifications As mentioned above, the board has decided to restore the President/Principal leadership model and appoint an outstanding leader who embodies the skills and qualities essential to effective, entrepreneurial leadership. Although deep domain knowledge of secondary education would be helpful, exceptional leadership qualities and passion for mission are the more important characteristics in the President position. In addition, the following qualities and qualifications will be expected: A practicing Catholic will be required someone who is capable of modeling and promoting Holy Cross values while welcoming families and students of all faith traditions. A high-profile, relational leader with outstanding institution-building skills is also expected someone who can raise the profile and value proposition of the school in the community, secure all necessary resources, set a bold and exciting new vision for the future, create demand for the unique gifts of a Holy Cross education, and secure all resources necessary to support and sustain the important mission of the school. The President/Principal model also requires a President who is intrinsically collaborative, respectful of his/her colleagues, and capable of building a strong and enduring team. While 8
the President serves as the outward-facing leader of the school, he/she must also be inwardly grounded, committed to the mission and values of the school and to high levels of student achievement. This is truly an exceptional leadership opportunity, and the members of the board welcome candidates from varied career backgrounds who share their ambitions and can meet the core requirements of the position. To Apply Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents (preferably PDFs) the following materials: A cover letter expressing your interest in this particular position and aligning your skills and experiences with the leadership requirements mentioned above; A current resume with all appropriate dates; A one-page statement of educational or leadership philosophy and practice; A list of five (5) professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each. References will not be contacted until a serious mutual interest is established, and not without the approval of the candidate. Please forward your materials to: Bob Regan Practice Group Leader, Catholic Schools Practice bob.regan@carneysandoe.com 9