Description

Principal – First Baptist Christian School

School Type: Private, Christian, PK3–12 
Accreditation: Cognia-accredited 
Student Enrollment: Approximately 301 students 
Reports To: Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor and Advisory School Board 

Position Summary 

The Principal serves as the spiritual, academic, and administrative leader of First Baptist Christian School (FBCS), a ministry of First Baptist Church of Lafayette, ensuring that all aspects of the institution align with the Church’s mission and educational goals. This role encompasses leadership in spiritual development, academic excellence, staff management, student welfare, community engagement, and compliance with state guidelines for nonpublic schools, and accreditation.  

Key Responsibilities

Spiritual Leadership

• • Model a Christ-centered life and integrate biblical principles into all aspects of school life, affirming that Jesus is the Son of God, believe that God raised him from the dead, and confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior.  
  • Foster a spiritual atmosphere through regular chapel services, prayer meetings, and faith-based educational initiatives.
  • Encourage and support the spiritual growth of students, staff, and the school community.
  • Ensure that the school's spiritual direction aligns with the mission of First Baptist Church of Lafayette, which aims to help individuals "Find Real Meaning" through a relationship with God, a purposeful path, real connections with others through reaching Acadiana with the gospel of Christ. 

Academic Leadership

• • Oversee the development and implementation of a rigorous, Christ-centered curriculum. 
    
  • Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and state educational requirements. 
    
  • Promote continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making and curriculum evaluation. 
    
  • Oversee the academics and instruction for all students. 

Administrative and Compliance Responsibilities

• • Annually submit enrollment information to the Louisiana Department of Education using the online attendance submission form. 
    
  • Remain abreast of changing regulations, educational trends and improvements, and teaching methods.  
    
  • Maintain accurate student attendance records to demonstrate compliance with compulsory attendance laws. 
    
  • Provide written notice of enrollment to the public school previously attended by any student who transfers to FBCS, within 10 days of enrollment, in accordance with R.S. 17:221.3. 
    
  • Issue diplomas in accordance with FBCS policies. 
    
  • Coordinates standardize testing, such as Terra Nova or Iowa testing,  for 4th and 8th-grade students  
    
  • Develop a yearly budget, maintaining the highest level of accountability 
    
  • Develop a yearly enrollment growth plan and execute throughout Acadiana 
    
  • Develop a Student Retention Plan for each grade 
    
  • Communicate to FBC leadership pertinent information for the School to be successful 

Staff Management

• • Recruit, hire, and retain qualified and certified Christian educators and support staff. 
    
  • Shepherd the faculty and staff to model servant-leadership both spiritually and academically. 
    
  • Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide professional development opportunities. 
    
  • Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment. 
    
  • Ensure that staff members uphold the values and mission of both FBCS and FBC. 
    
  • Identify staffing needs, conduct interviews and perform hiring of potential faculty and staff in accordance with best practices and the mission of FBCS and FBC.  
    
  • Provide meaningful and measurable feedback to faculty and staff in academics, classroom management, student interaction, and integration with FBC mission. 
    
  • Update policy manuals for both Students and Faculty & Staff to adhere to biblical standards, best practices in academic standards, employment standards, and community engagement.  

Student Welfare

• • Promote a safe, nurturing, and disciplined environment conducive to learning and spiritual growth. 
    
  • Address student behavioral issues following published policies, with grace and accountability, aligning with biblical values. 
    
  • Encourage and Oversee student participation in extracurricular activities that support the school's mission. 

Community Engagement

• • Serve as the primary liaison between the school and parents, churches, and the broader community, engaging both students and parents and being seen by the community. 
    
  • Promote the school's mission and vision through effective communication and public relations, engaging students and parents throughout the school day and during activities and events related to the School. 
    
  • Engage in fundraising and development activities to support programs and initiatives. 
    
  • Collaborate with FBC ministries to integrate school activities with church outreach programs, reflecting the church's commitment to "Reaching Acadiana for Christ". 
    
  • Follow-up and address parental concerns, facilitating parental conferences, ensuring teacher/parental collaboration in support of student behavioral and academic success.  

Requirements

Qualifications

• A committed Christian with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 
• Demonstrate the qualities of enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility, integrity, gratitude, kindness, self-control, perseverance, punctuality, organization, and professionalism.  
• Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience and 3 years in educational leadership. 
• Strong understanding of Christian education philosophy and practices. 
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills. 
• Submit and support the leadership of First Baptist Church, its Pastors, and lay leaders.  
• Be a member or willing to be a member of First Baptist Church of Lafayette 

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) or equivalent. 
• Experience with school accreditation processes. 
• Proficiency in integrating technology into educational settings. 
• Previous Christian School experience a plus 

Working Conditions

• The Principal shall be responsible as an employee to the Senior Pastor of FBC, through the Executive Pastor, to the Personnel Team and the Congregation of FBC. 
• Observe regular office hours, adhering to the policies of FBCS and FBC, except as required by the needs of the carrying out assigned responsibilities. 
• Vacation, holidays, and other circumstances related to working conditions are determined by policy 
• The Executive Pastor must approve participation in conferences and conventions.