CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOLGrand Rapids, Michigan

PRESIDENTStart Date: July 2021grcatholiccentral.org

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1906, Catholic Central High School is the oldest Catholic, coeducational Diocesan high school in the United States. With a rigorous academic program delivered within a culture of Catholic faith, the school’s long-standing tradition of excellence fuels an undying passion to provide students with the best overall experience of the highest quality.

Students at Catholic Central learn to apply the school’s core values—Wonder, Strive, Love, Lead, Serve, and Honor—through a balance of high academic standards and the individualized attention and near limitless opportunities every student deserves. It’s this unique combination, along with a strong foundation in faith, that sets the school apart. Parents and students alike love the supportive, family-like environment and being surrounded by others who share the same values and the same desire to be challenged and succeed—both in and out of the classroom, and in life beyond graduation.

The school is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader as its inaugural President, effective July 2021. The President will be devoted to the school’s mission and programs and will direct a talented faculty to embrace new and innovative academic initiatives that will further enhance the excellent reputation that the school has earned. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a high-performing Catholic secondary school with deep ties to its community and an unwavering commitment to its mission.

THE SCHOOL

Anchored to the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in the Heartside neighborhood of downtown Grand Rapids, Catholic Central was initially staffed by diocesan priests and Dominican sisters. Today the school is rooted in the Dominican charisms of prayer, study, service, and community within the context of the wider diocesan mission.

MissionCatholic Central High School challenges students to know and love God, seek knowledge and truth, respect the dignity of each person, and contribute to society through leadership and service.

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Each day, the school community works together to help every student to encounter Christ and grow in their relationship with Him. Through a fully integrated Catholic education students achieve success academically, in their chosen activities, and most importantly, in life. Students are empowered to achieve excellence through a supportive and challenging environment and opportunities that allow them to find their path and reach their potential. The school promises more than the best education—it promises a family of faith, a sense of belonging, and an environment that promotes joy, confidence, and the passion to make the world a better place.

At Catholic Central, building relationships is as important as building character. Through a holistic educational approach, the staff strives to develop individuals spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and physically in light of the mandates of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The school is guided by the seven principles of Catholic social teaching and integrates them into all aspects of student and staff life, including liturgies and other religious activities, student and staff retreats, and across all subject areas and extracurricular activities.

Catholic Central uses a custom schedule to encourage deeper inquiry and more meaningful learning. This research-based, student centered schedule develops the whole person by prioritizing students’ learning needs and their overall well-being. With fewer transitions, and fewer classes per day, there’s more time for students to engage in multiple learning modes, work together on projects, and conduct more comprehensive lab work and experimentation. While the homework load is similar to other college-prep high schools, students have greater autonomy over when to complete that work which supports their ability to participate fully in sports, fine arts and other extracurricular activities. Additionally, the schedule encourages deeper connection and wellbeing through Focus Time sessions where students have an opportunity to choose what they need to feel happy and accomplished.

The school is accredited by AdvancEd and is a member of The National Catholic Educational Association and the National Association of College Admission Counselors.

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Fast FactsFounded: 1906Total students: 569Non-Catholic students: 12%Total faculty: 33Faculty with advanced degrees: 68%Student/teacher ratio: 18:1Financial aid awarded: $1.3MStudents receiving aid: 39%Endowment: $6M

FAITH AT CATHOLIC CENTRAL

For each and every student, finding meaning in life is both a challenge and an opportunity. Catholic Central seeks to create a culture of encounter with Jesus Christ that supports and expresses Gospel values and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Students are invited to take part in Campus Ministry activities that, empowered by faith, develop their minds, talents, and passions, and help students enter the greater world ready to transform it.

Catholic Central is a school of prayer. Students encounter daily prayer through communal morning prayer, prayer to begin each class period, and after school in the Chapel. Weekly Mass is held every Wednesday, daily Mass is offered in the Cathedral before school, and Eucharistic Adoration is offered twice each week in the Chapel.

Students participate in thousands of hours of volunteering and are encouraged to be “men and women for others.” The Office of Campus Ministry coordinates school-wide service projects to help people directly in the school’s Heartside neighborhood, as well as throughout the country and the world. A very important collaboration is with the students of the village of Seguin, Haiti. Mission trips to Haiti, as well as a yearly Lenten project, directly assist in the lives of Haitian children. In addition, Campus Ministry coordinates a Ministry Fair each autumn. The Ministry Fair provides the opportunity for students to learn about various organizations involved in ministry and a way to connect with these organizations. Within the Office of Campus Ministry, Peer Ministry is an important organization for juniors and seniors which helps to develop the charism of community within the life of the school. Active committees within Peer Ministry address such issues as mentoring Freshmen and new students, handling stress and anxiety, nurturing faith and spirituality, prevention of substance abuse, and acceptance of diversity. Peer Ministers help carry the mission of Campus Ministry into the trenches of daily student life.

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ACADEMICS

At Catholic Central High School, students are exposed to the highest-quality college preparatory curriculum in an academic environment built on faith, collaboration, and individualized support of every student by an exceptional faculty. In addition to an exceptional academic program, student support services and guidance counseling are an integral part of the overall education at Catholic Central, ensuring students are prepared not just for higher education, but for life.

In the classroom, students examine the relationship between faith and reason. Theology and philosophy are seamlessly integrated with mathematics, literature, history, science, and world language (students have the option of French, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish). Course offerings are highly academic and include over 90 courses in 10 departments as well as honors and Advanced Placement (AP) options, two AP Capstone courses, and Dual Enrollment courses with Aquinas College. Each student is provided with an iPad that supports classroom work and helps them to be conscious consumers as they navigate the advantages and disadvantages of living and working with technology.

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The Class of 2020 matriculated to the following schools, among others:

Albion CollegeAquinas CollegeAve Maria UniversityCalvin UniversityCase Western Reserve UniversityCatholic University of America Central Michigan UniversityDavenport UniversityFerris State UniversityFordham UniversityGrand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Valley State UniversityHillsdale CollegeHope CollegeHoward UniversityIowa State UniversityJohn Carroll UniversityLawrence Technological UniversityLoyola University, ChicagoManchester UniversityMarquette UniversityMiami University, OxfordMichigan State UniversityMichigan Technological UniversityNorthern Michigan UniversityPalm Beach Atlantic UniversityPurdue UniversitySaint Mary’s CollegeSienna Heights UniversityUniversity of California, San DiegoUniversity of DaytonUniversity of DenverUniversity of Hawaii, ManoaUniversity of IowaUniversity of Massachusetts, BostonUniversity of MichiganUniversity of MontanaUniversity of New MexicoUniversity of PortlandUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of UtahVirginia Commonwealth UniversityWayne State UniversityWest Chester UniversityWestern Michigan UniversityXavier University

College Placement

As a proud advocate of STEM education, Catholic Central created its STEM-designated curriculum to reinforce the integration of faith and reason. After four years of investing in the curriculum, Catholic Central became the first high school in Michigan to receive STEM certification from the world’s largest education nonprofit, Cognia. Beginning their sophomore year, students interested in exploring careers in related fields may choose to pursue the school’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) designated curriculum. This option supplements students’ college preparatory coursework with STEAM-designated classes and experiences, as well as experiences that explore faith and reason. Upon graduation, seniors receive the opportunity to present their research at the Spring Showcase, receive official recognition by Catholic Central, and take home a portfolio of their experience for college application and beyond.

Catholic Central has always had an incredibly strong academic program and college-going culture. In addition to the academic competency necessary to perform at the college ranks, graduates also have the maturity, discipline, and initiative to succeed on college campuses. Each of the past several years’ graduating classes have had 100% college acceptance into higher education with a 98% matriculation average. In a typical year, 75-80% of each graduating class will enroll in a four-year school and 20-25% will enroll in a two-year college.

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ARTS AND ATHLETICS

At Catholic Central, all students experience the understanding, the appreciation, and the creation of the arts in a Catholic Christian setting. The arts provide knowledge about the world and ways of experiencing it that contribute to a deeper global understanding. In visual arts, students engage in various media, respect artistic expression, critically evaluate works, understand the role of art in cultural and historical contexts, and learn to be a discerning artist in everyday life. Courses include drawing, design, graphic arts, and more.

The Music Education program at Catholic Central High School is thriving. Both the Instrumental and Choral departments continue to grow and have earned top ratings at adjudicated festivals, toured inside and outside of the country, and consistently performed for community and Diocesan functions. While positively representing Catholic Central in these areas, students are also challenged with a rigorous music education curriculum in the daily classroom. Course offerings include Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, Cathedral Choir, and more.

With as many opportunities for participation as possible, the athletic program at Catholic Central is an extension of the classroom. Over 80% of the student body participates on at least one of the school’s 54 teams. Coaches focus on good sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance, recognizing each individual’s God-given talents and working to help all student-athletes reach their fullest potential. Sports include cross country, equestrian, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, basketball, bowling, cheer, hockey, skiing, wrestling, baseball, lacrosse, rugby, softball, and track and field. Teams have won many district, regional, and national championships.

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STUDENT LIFE

Catholic Central takes a holistic view of its students, ensuring it cultivates the spiritual, physical, intellectual, and artistic gifts of each student throughout his or her experience. Thus, the Student Life program is fundamental to students’ growth and development, integrating the school community’s religious, academic, and social lives.

Students enjoy getting involved through one of Catholic Central’s many extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities not only make each student’s high school experience memorable but are also integral to student education. Clubs include everything from finance to debate, baking to mock trial, Model United Nations to Spanish. Students may also start their own clubs during the school year.

The House system—characterized by faith, virtue, character formation, and camaraderie—helps to deepen a student’s relationship with God and with fellow students while amplifying the school’s mission and community. Each student belongs to one of four Houses with peers from all grade levels. Each of the four Houses is named after a saint, who was selected for specific characteristics the students strive to emulate. Within the House system, students also flourish in a smaller community setting through Coram Deo groups (“in the presence of God” or “face-to-face with God”). These groups meet three times a week and consist of four to five same gender students from each grade level. Coram Deo groups are a time for prayer, community building, authentic discussion, and character formation, connecting with other students that they may never encounter without the groups, and giving teachers opportunities for closer relationships with their students. Students stay in these groups for all four years of their high school career.

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CAMPUS

Catholic Central is proud of its decades-long location in the Heartside neighborhood, a culturally rich environment. The campus is safe, walkable, convenient, and beautiful. The extended campus includes the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, as well as nearby hospitals, research institutions, museums, and charitable organizations where students commonly participate in project-based or service-based learning.

In 2018, the school completed the largest fundraising campaign in its history resulting in a LEED-certified Student Center, a LEED-certified STEAM Center, beautiful new choir and band rooms, and the premier athletic complex in the state of Michigan. Because of the school’s dynamic location and excellent facilities, Catholic Central High School has a strong tradition of providing an experience that is beyond belief.

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

A scenic spot perched on the Grand River—Michigan’s longest waterway—Grand Rapids has evolved from its 19th-century roots as a hub of furniture production to the modern-day metro area that is attracting families with its healthy job market, affordable housing, and outdoor recreational activities. Part of a metropolitan area of 1.1 million people, it is the second largest and fastest growing city in the state and has been ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the top five cities in the U.S. to raise a family.

From the doctors and nurses working in the region’s booming health care industry, to the strong community that hosts numerous artists and musicians, the region is home to people from all walks of life. Grand Rapids’ neighborhood associations are incredibly active, bringing the metro area’s population together

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for community events such as the Eastown Street Fair, which draws people to the artsy neighborhood for food, music, and more. Midwest friendliness is no exaggeration in Grand Rapids, which, despite being the second largest metro area in Michigan, exudes small-town warmth. Walk down almost any residential street in Grand Rapids, and you’ll often be met with a wave and a “hello” from people caring for their lawns or hanging out on porches.

Grand Rapids’ more than 1,200 acres of city-owned parks provide the setting for scenic walks and community kickball games, while the Lake Michigan shoreline (less than an hour’s drive from downtown) becomes a popular gathering spot in the summer. Locals can get a taste of the metro area’s love for the arts at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, while families learn together at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. In the evenings, residents enjoy performances by the Grand Rapids Ballet—the only professional ballet company in Michigan—and other comedy and theater troupes. The metro area is also home to a noteworthy craft beer scene; the Beer City Ale Trail leads to dozens of breweries offering tours and tastings.

From hiking, camping, and enjoying activities on the Grand River and Lake Michigan to skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing in the winter, the area is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. During the fall, the region’s many hardwood trees display colorful foliage and leaf-peeping is a popular activity. Many residents pedal their way along the numerous bike lanes, and others walk the many pedestrian-friendly neighborhood streets. There is also The Rapid, which operates bus lines that travel throughout downtown Grand Rapids and the immediate suburbs. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (located in the southeastern suburbs of the region) connects Grand Rapids to the rest of the country. The region is also serviced by Amtrak and by several charter bus companies, including Greyhound. Chicago, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Michigan’s numerous and charming coastal towns are all within driving distance, offering even more opportunities for recreation and exploration.

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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

This is an exceptionally promising time for Catholic Central High School. For 115 years the school has exemplified excellence in Catholic education in the state of Michigan and well beyond. Renowned for its warm, student-centered sense of community and the strong and loving foundation of faith it provides, Catholic Central has also emerged as a national leader in educational innovation, becoming the first high school in the state, for example, to be STEM-certified and offering an uncommonly inventive array of other curricular and extracurricular opportunities in academics, the arts, service, and athletics. Parents describe the school as a markedly well-run enterprise, committed to timely communications and relationship building. Faculty are deeply invested in the success of the school and devoted to the well-being of their students—who characterize Catholic Central as a “can do” organization with high levels of common purpose, spirit, and pride. The school’s downtown location gives it a unique prominence and visibility, as well as direct access to the educational potential of Grand Rapids’ distinctive civic assets and resources. A recent and notably successful $19 million capital campaign has enabled the school to upgrade, expand, and modernize its campus. Catholic Central enjoys a close partnership with the Diocese of Grand Rapids which is committed to enabling the school to fulfill its mission robustly and flourish in the future. The Diocese, the Catholic Central Board, and the school community are unified in their embrace of the President/Principal leadership model and are excited to welcome the new President to Grand Rapids.

The Board is expecting the President to build on this vibrant momentum while remaining true to the school’s Catholic identity and addressing the following opportunities and challenges:

• The Grand Rapids region is a very competitive education market and building up the enrollment is one of the top priorities of the school. The President will need to leverage the advantages of the school’s Catholic mission, academic excellence, and prowess for innovation into a bold vision that clearly distinguishes Catholic Central from its competitors, defines it unquestionably as a premier Catholic high school, and energizes a growing enrollment.

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• Continue to build a robust culture of philanthropy at the school, enhancing overall performance in the annual fund and in major gifts, and in particular significantly increasing the size of the endowment.

• Assess the appropriateness of the school’s tuition model and cost structure, and when possible apply endowment revenues to help support financial aid and enable the school to be welcoming to families of all socio-economic backgrounds.

• Build higher levels of engagement with Catholic Central alumni and involve them more actively in the school’s giving programs and in other methods of institution building.

• As with many Catholic schools around the country, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have assumed an increased level of priority at Catholic Central. A new DEI director has been hired, but the incoming President will need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students and set the tone and priorities going forward.

DESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Catholic Central’s new leader will be its inaugural President in the President/Principal leadership model, an increasingly popular leadership structure in which the Principal serves as the day-to-day head of academic operations, reporting to the President who functions as the chief executive officer and face of the school to the community. The President is the outward facing “Institution Builder” —fundraiser, friend raiser, and visionary—while the Principal is the inward facing “Community Builder”—setting the tone, raising the standards, and holding people accountable for the quality of the student experience. To achieve the promise of the model, the President and Principal must work effectively as a team, collaborating and partnering to achieve synergies and responding seamlessly to the changing needs of the institution.

This is a classic “take it to the next level” leadership opportunity. The school does not seek a radical change agent or disrupter but a generative and visionary servant leader who will cast an inspiring vision for the future while also respecting the values and traditions of the school, building creatively on the rock-solid institutional platform in place. Given the current challenges and opportunities mentioned above, the President should possess the following qualities and qualifications:

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• A faith-filled practicing Catholic who will embrace and compellingly promote the school’s Catholic identity and academic mission while modeling those values in his or her daily practice.

• A person who can engage in collaborative dialogue and maintain a positive, ongoing relationship with the leadership team of the Diocese which feels strongly about the Catholic identity of the school and believes in the upside potential of its educational leadership within the Grand Rapids community.

• A proven difference-maker who can energize the school community with a vision for fresh mission-driven possibilities, but also knows how to design and accomplish the key practical steps and goals required to make that vision an enduring and generative reality.

• A gifted communicator who can raise the profile and compellingly articulate the powerful value proposition of the school throughout the West Michigan region.

• A personable relationship builder who connects well with people, grasps the importance of fundraising, and can successfully make the case for philanthropic support through his/her inspiring passion for mission and care for the future of Catholic Central, and the good it brings into the world.

Catholic Central is a Diocesan owned and operated high school with shared oversight by the Superintendent of Catholic schools and the Catholic Central Board of Directors. Through the Search Committee, the Board of Directors will make a recommendation to the Superintendent. The President is appointed by the Superintendent after consultation with the Board of Directors. The President reports to and is evaluated by the Superintendent with input from the Board of Directors.

The Board welcomes candidates from varied mission-critical career platforms including other Catholic, independent, or charter schools; higher education; non-profit foundations, associations, charities, and the like; as well as the corporate, civic, and professional services arenas. While deep domain knowledge of secondary education is preferred, other qualities and experiences are also valued, especially visionary, entrepreneurial leadership and the ability to inspire, build high performing teams, and create demand for the unique gifts of a Catholic Central education.

This is an extraordinary and truly rare leadership opportunity.

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 thoughtful and targeted cover letter expressing interest in this particular position;• A current résumé;• A one-page statement of educational or leadership philosophy and practice;• 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) to:

Bob ReganPractice Group Leader, Catholic Schools PracticeSenior Consultantbob.regan@carneysandoe.com

Bill ChristSenior Consultantbill.christ@carneysandoe.com