Description
The School
Founded in 1973, Capistrano Valley Christian Schools (CVCS) is a co-educational, non-denominational Christian independent school serving over 700 students from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade. Located in the historic district of San Juan Capistrano, just two miles from the Pacific Ocean, CVCS is committed to educational excellence in a Christ-centered environment, integrating a biblical worldview across all disciplines.
Current enrollment includes approximately 290 elementary (TK–6), 115 junior high (7–8), and 305 high school (9–12) students. CVCS is known for its Christ-centered culture, strong family partnerships, and deep commitment to forming students who are courageous Christians, servant leaders, and truth seekers.
The Opportunity
CVCS seeks an Elementary School Principal to lead its TK–6 program during the most formative years of student development. The Principal serves as the educational, spiritual, and operational leader of the elementary division, providing direct leadership to approximately 35 faculty and staff and partnering closely with the Head of Schools.
This role is part of a collaborative leadership structure, working alongside an Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, in close partnership with the Junior High and High School Principals, and supported by school-wide leaders including a Dean of Students (TK–12) and a Dean of Discipleship & Community Life (TK–12).
What This Leader Does
- Advances educational excellence in a Christ-centered environment across the TK–6 program
- Cultivates a joyful, safe, relational, and high-expectations elementary culture
- Leads, mentors, evaluates, and develops elementary faculty and staff
- Partners with the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator to ensure strong curriculum alignment, instructional quality, and assessment practices
- Collaborates with Junior High and High School Principals to ensure continuity of culture, expectations, and student formation across divisions
- Works closely with the Dean of Students (TK–12) on discipline, student support, and restorative practices
- Partners with the Dean of Discipleship & Community Life (TK–12) to integrate discipleship, character formation, and community life into the elementary experience
- Supports students with learning challenges in collaboration with the RISE (Resource Implementation Success Education) Team, a pull-out academic support
- program serving students across grade levels
- Engages families through clear communication, pastoral care, and strong partnership
Who Thrives at CVCS
The ideal candidate:
- Possesses an authentic, vibrant Christian faith and is an active member of a local church
- Feels a deep calling to Christian elementary education
- Loves children and understands the developmental, academic, and spiritual needs of young learners
- Shepherds the families and team of outstanding educators.
- Has demonstrated success leading and developing teams of educators (35)
- Has experience supporting students with learning challenges and collaborating with academic support teams
- Values teamwork and thrives in a distributed leadership model
- Leads with humility, clarity, joy, and emotional intelligence
- Communicates effectively and pastorally with parents, faculty, and students
Professional Background
- Master’s degree in education, educational leadership, or related field (required)
- Elementary teaching and school leadership experience strongly preferred
- Experience in Christian education strongly preferred
- This is a compelling opportunity to lead a thriving elementary program within a highly collaborative leadership structure at a school committed to educational excellence in a Christ-centered environment. The Elementary School Principal at CVCS plays a vital role in shaping culture, strengthening instruction, and nurturing the hearts and minds of students in a joyful, faith-filled community.
Interview Process: February-April 2026
Start Date: July 1, 2026
Benefits: CVCS offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid life insurance with the option to purchase additional term life insurance at discounted group rates
- Short and long-term disability
- 403b including a matching program after one year of service
- Paid time off package comprised of vacation, sick, holidays
- Free tuition benefit for eldest child attending CVCS, and discounted tuition benefit for second enrolled child.
Please submit your resume, cover letter and letters of reference through our application portal: https://www.cvcs.org/about/employment
Requirements
Please refer to the Elementary School Principal posting available at https://www.cvcs.org/about/employment
