Head of School
Opportunity The next Head of Saint Gertrude High School will have the opportunity to lead a vibrant, faith-based academic community. Saint Gertrude is a leading girls’ high school in the Central Virginia area. A mission of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, it is in its ninety-second year of preparing young women for college and for life. The school is known for bringing out the best in girls as they mature into confident, curious and well-grounded young women. Saint Gertrude prides itself on having a diverse culture with exceptional, engaging faculty and staff to forge the path for our students and our school’s success. The next Head, or President, of Saint Gertrude will prepare the school to enter its second century. Saint Gertrude is built on the values of the Benedictine Sisters. In addition, it draws much of its character from its location in the historic museum district of Richmond, an urban setting that includes the nearby Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Historical Society. Few schools have such convenient access to resources that so richly enhance the students’ learning process. The school’s central location makes it easily accessible for families throughout the region.
The President will provide overall leadership to the school to achieve the fullest attainment of the school’s vision and mission. Important functions include: Nurturing a Catholic faith community Implementing successful, innovative academic programs which integrate 21st Century Learning skills Promoting student programs which provide leadership opportunities and build community Overseeing a comprehensive advancement program, including admissions, alumnae affairs and marketing Managing all of the school’s financial affairs Collaborating with the Board of Visitors to carry out the school’s strategic plan. The President is supported by an engaged Board of Visitors, comprised of community leaders whose love for the school, in some cases, reaches back a generation or more.
Mission
Core Values
Saint Gertrude High School, an independent Catholic, collegepreparatory school, prepares and inspires young women to answer the challenges of their changing world.
• We live by Benedictine values of community, hospitality, and stewardship, finding strength in our prayerful spirituality, beauty in God’s creation, and joy in serving others.
Vision Each SGHS alumna will go forward with the courage to make a positive impact on her community.
• We create a diverse, nurturing and inclusive community in which together we make one another stronger. • We develop the whole student by stimulating pursuit of intellectual excellence, physical wellbeing, expressive creativity and spiritual discovery. • We exhibit high moral character in the way we show respect for ourselves and others. • We serve as good stewards of the resources that are entrusted to us, ensuring opportunitiesor as many young women as possible, regardless of economic situation.
History Saint Gertrude High School, Virginia’s only all-girls Catholic high school, has served the educational needs of young women for ninety-two years. During this time the school has grown from a twenty-six member student body to the present enrollment of 261 students. The building that houses much of the school was built in 1913 to provide a home and chapel for the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia. The Sisters lived and taught at St. Mary’s School on Fourth and Marshall Streets in downtown Richmond. In 1922, Saint Edith Academy, a boarding school for girls in Bristow, Virginia was closed and the high school of Saint Edith Academy
moved to Richmond to its current location on Stuart Avenue, marking the foundation of Saint Gertrude High School. Sister Gertrude Head, OSB, served as the first principal. The school continued to operate solely in the original building until new additions were added in 1956, 1972 and the most recent addition completed in 2005. In addition, the school has an Outdoor Athletic Center located eight miles north from the school at Interstate- 95 North and Parham Road. It is an impressive eighteen-acre complex that includes a turf field, grass practice field, softball diamond, six tennis courts and a field house.
Academics & School Life Saint Gertrude High School’s college preparatory curriculum includes a twenty-two or twenty-four credit diploma. Classes offered include Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) in all subjects with the exception of foreign languages that offer Honors classes. Elective course offerings in the visual and performing arts include chorus, honors ensemble, art and AP studio art. Theology course offerings are designed to encourage factual and philosophical understanding of Christian ideals and to promote an understanding of Catholic doctrine and living the gospel message. Along with a stimulating academic curriculum the students may choose from a variety of clubs, organizations, outreach opportunities and eleven sports. Saint Gertrude High School offers a supportive learning environment, with an average class size of fifteen and a student to teacher ratio of nine to one. Saint Gertrude students are well prepared to continue their studies at the college or university level, the path that almost all of our graduates choose.
Organizational Structure Saint Gertrude High School is owned and operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia and is governed by tiered boards. The Board of Trustees is made up of Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, Inc. The Board of Visitors, a local board of limited jurisdiction, is made up of community volunteers. The Board of Visitors is accountable to the Board of Trustees. The Prioress of the Benedictine Community sits on both Boards. The President’s direct reports include the Dean of Academics, the Dean of Students, and the Directors of Development, Alumnae, Admissions/Marketing, Finance, Guidance, Technology and Athletics.
Future Saint Gertrude High School is operating under a May 2011 strategic plan that is guiding the efforts of the entire School community through the 2015 – 2016 school year. The plan affirms the School’s vision, mission and core values. The strategic plan also addresses four initiatives: academic excellence based in 21st Century Learning, leadership development that is integrated into every facet of the students’ lives, a community focus to include the School’s global community, and assessment and development of extra-curricular activities that explore avenues which complement the school’s curriculum. The next President will lead the school in:
Developing the Next Strategic Plan After getting acquainted with the Saint Gertrude community, the President will have the opportunity to work with the Board to develop the school’s next strategic plan. Along with the Board, the President’s vision and aspirations for Saint Gertrude will form the road map to complete the school’s first hundred years and prepare for the second.
Developing Financial Resources to Meet the School’s Needs Development efforts, an integral part of Saint Gertrude’s revenue sources, will benefit from a President who is comfortable engaging with alumnae, parents and the broader Richmond community to tell the ongoing story of the impact that Saint Gertrude has on its students. In addition to the annual fund, the need to renovate the west wing will drive another capital campaign within the next few years.
Increasing Awareness of SGHS to Attract Our Next Class of Great Students Saint Gertrude has a capacity of approximately 300 students. Each year, we strive to come as close to capacity as possible with enrollment of a diverse group of students. The Richmond area has a number of excellent high schools, both public and independent; therefore, the marketing and admissions role is an important focus of the school’s leader.
Personal Qualities & Experience Desired Saint Gertrude’s President serves as a role model for the school community, both students and faculty alike. As such, it is essential that candidates be practicing Catholics who embrace Benedictine values. The school seeks an energetic Head who has had administrative leadership experience in a high school, preferably an independent school. Specifically, candidates should possess: The ability to form strong relationships within the Saint Gertrude community and the Richmond community. We prepare our students to have a positive impact on their communities; our relationships serve as models for them. A drive to ensure adequate resources for the school. Like many schools, tuition covers only a part of our total expenses. Our President will lead both annual and capital campaigns that are essential to the school’s growth and continued success.
Strong communication skills. Public speaking and written communication will be a regular aspect of the position. The acumen to understand the key financial drivers that ensure ongoing stability. A relevant post-graduate degree. As an academic community, we believe our President should demonstrate a love of learning through the attainment of an advanced degree.
Richmond, Virginia Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is ideally situated within two hours of Washington, DC, Virginia Beach, and the Blue Ridge mountains. Richmond is a unique city with a strong sense of community. It offers an excellent mix of historic, cultural and sporting events while lacking many of the challenges found in larger cities. Most weekends offer some type of family event – a run or walk, an arts festival, music festivals, or activities along the James River. Richmond is a wonderful place to live, work and play.
Applications To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to: sghs@osbva.org This position will remain open until filled. The search committee understands the need for confidentiality during the first part of the search process and will make every effort to assure a high degree of confidentiality for the candidates.
Fast Facts Saint Gertrude High School is a girls’ school owned by the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia.
Founded
1922 Grades
9–12 Students
261
Classroom Faculty
27
Instructional support
8
Administrators
10
Admin staff
6 FT + 2 PT Student TO Faculty Ratio
9:1
Accreditations Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Associations National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) National Catholic Education Association Council for the Advancement and support of Education The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools National Association for College Admission Counselors The Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling
3215 Stuart Avenue • Richmond, VA 23221 804.358.9114 • www.saintgertrude.org