Principal

Job DetailsLevel: SeniorJob Location: High School - Orange, CA 92867Position Type: Full-time/ 12 monthsEducation Level: Graduate DegreeTravel Percentage: NegligibleJob Shift: AnyJob Category: EducationPOSITION SUMMARY

The Principal serves as the senior educational leader of Orange Lutheran High School and operates under the authority delegated by the Chief Executive Officer.  The Principal is accountable for the oversight, supervision, and performance of all academic and student-facing programs, including academics across all delivery models, student services, arts, athletics, and missions programming. The Principal advances and implements the institutional mission, vision, and strategic priorities through the leadership of faculty, staff, and program directors, ensuring academic excellence, student formation, and a unified Christian educational experience. The Principal must be an active, participating member of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and demonstrate a life and leadership consistent with LCMS doctrine and practice. In the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, the Principal serves as the senior campus administrator responsible for the day-to-day leadership of educational and student-facing programs; this authority does not extend to enterprise operations such as finance, facilities, marketing, or other functions under the oversight of the Chief Financial Officer or those aligned with the Chief Operations Officer. The Principal works in close partnership with the Campus Pastor, who serves as the campus's primary spiritual and ecclesiastical leader, to ensure that the educational program reflects and supports the school’s Lutheran Christian mission.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Supervises:  Assistant Principal of Academics, Assistant Principal of Student Services, Assistant Principal of Athletics, Director of the Arts, Director of Missions, and the Executive Assistant to the Principal

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Academic Leadership

Lead the advancement and continuous improvement of all academic programs in alignment with the institutional mission and strategic priorities
Develop and implement a comprehensive academic plan that promotes excellence in teaching, learning, and student engagement
Oversee curriculum development and implementation, ensuring alignment with Christian worldview and rigorous academic standards
Foster innovation in teaching and learning across all instructional modalities
Ensure curriculum effectiveness and student achievement using data-informed strategies
Champion faculty excellence through recruitment, development, evaluation, and retention of high-quality educators

Administrative Oversight

Supervise and evaluate direct reports to ensure alignment with the mission, policies, and educational standards
Ensure that athletics, arts, student services, and missions programs operate as integrated components of the school’s unified educational ministry
Provide executive oversight and accountability for co-curricular programs, ensuring integrity, consistency, and alignment with institutional expectations
Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer to develop educational program budgets and steward allocated resources responsibly
Lead campus-level accreditation efforts and collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer on institutional accreditation strategy
Partner closely with the Executive Leadership Team on high-impact strategic initiatives across athletics, facilities, financial stewardship, and donor alignment, ensuring that all programs advance the mission and the school's long-term sustainability
Promote consistent standards, communication practices, and operational coherence across all educational divisions

Employee Engagement and Leadership Development

Ensure that faculty, coaches, directors, and educational leaders are recruited, developed, supervised, and evaluated in alignment with the school’s mission and standards of excellence
Cultivate a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and accountability
Provide mentoring, training, and professional development aligned with instructional excellence and staff well-being
Lead with integrity and presence, modeling alignment with the school’s Christian mission and guiding principles

Student Belonging, Support, and Discipline

Provide leadership and accountability for student belonging, welfare, academic progress, and behavioral standards
Ensure disciplinary policies reflect Christian values and uphold a safe, structured, and nurturing environment
Cultivate a campus culture where students are known, valued, and supported

Spiritual Leadership

Model Christian faith and leadership
Support the integration of the Christian worldview and discipleship across all educational programs
Participate in chapel services, Daily Gatherings, and other Christian faith formation activities
Maintain active membership in an LCMS congregation

Strategic Partnership and Execution

As a member