SALARY RANGE: $155,000 - $185,000 Annually
APPLICATION PROCESS: Interested candidates for the position of Preschool and Elementary Principal may apply online at https://rg175.com/candidate/signup.
The application includes:
- Letter of interest that addresses: Why this position at Mid-Pacific and why now?
- Resume
- Personal Statement / Educational
- Philosophy
- List of five references with contact information (references will not be contacted without prior notice)
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The deadline for receipt of full application materials is: FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025.
If you have questions about the search, please contact the Resource Group 175 consultants supporting the search, Steve Morris, steve.morris@rg175.com, or Jim Scott, jim.scott@rg175.com.
About Mid-Pacific Institute
Founded in 1908 in Honolulu, Hawai’i, Mid-Pacific Institute is a distinguished independent school serving students from Preschool through 12th grade. With a commitment to innovation and fostering a sense of belonging, Mid-Pacific prepares students to thrive with confidence, adaptability, and integrity.
JOB SUMMARY
The Principal for Preschool and Elementary School (PS/ES Principal) is an experienced leader committed to providing a supportive, engaging, and high-quality educational experience for students and faculty. Reporting to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the PS/ES Principal collaborates with the Middle/High School Principal, the three Assistant Principals, faculty, and administrators to achieve institutional goals and ensure alignment across divisions. The PS/ES Principal leads with a focus on Deeper Learning and inquiry-based best practices, ensuring developmentally appropriate instruction that supports the Student Learner Profile. This role also includes the essential work of building positive relationships with both faculty and Preschool through 5th grade students and families, and leading efforts in the retention of families to support a seamless transition to the Middle School.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Directly supervise the Assistant Principal for Preschool and Elementary
- Oversee PreSchool and Elementary faculty and staff in collaboration with the Assistant Principal.
Academic Leadership:
- Provide strategic leadership in curriculum design and alignment, classroom technology integration, and program growth.
- Maintain understanding of current progressive pedagogy, including the Reggio-Emilia approach and inquiry-based learning as the foundation of Deeper Learning in the preschool and elementary school.
- Supervise and evaluate faculty to ensure the effective implementation of deeper learning experiences and authentic assessments.
- Promote the use of learner and teacher profiles to inform instructional practices.
- Collaborate with the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Middle/High School Principal to ensure alignment across divisions.
Faculty Recruitment, Supervision, and Development:
- Lead the hiring processes to recruit top-quality educators in collaboration with the Preschool/ Elementary Assistant Principal and the HR office.
- Provide clear performance expectations and support professional development opportunities for the Preschool/Elementary faculty and staff
- Foster a collegial and collaborative environment for faculty planning and decision-making.
- Develop leadership capacities among teachers to promote shared instructional leadership.
- Support the Assistant Principal for Preschool/ Elementary in the implementation of the redesigned faculty evaluation process.
- Collaborate with the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Middle and High School Principal, as well as the Assistant Principals in the design and implementation of annual professional learning days for all faculty.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and Program Development:
- Oversee curriculum implementation to ensure alignment with the Middle and High School, schoolwide institutional goals, and accreditation standards.
- Assess and refine academic programs to meet student needs and school-wide objectives.
- Lead the integration of the Student Learner Profile in making program decisions.
- Ensure seamless transitions between preschool, elementary, and middle school programs.
Student Life and Community Engagement:
- Perpetuate a strong sense of community within the Preschool and Elementary school and the school overall. Build upon an emerging positive school climate, where all students, faculty, and staff develop a sense of belonging and feel valued.
- Maintain effective communication between school and home about individual student progress and school goals, and create opportunities for parent engagement in the life of the school community.
- Respond to parent, staff, and community inquiries in a timely manner.
- Be an active supporter of the after-school and weekend student activity programs and parent events.
- Engage parents in conversations about the school’s educational program and pedagogy.
- Partner with the Assistant Principal for Preschool and Elementary School to create effective student learning experiences aligned with the Learner Profile.
- Promote student self-discipline and advocacy through well-structured support programs.
- Engage parents and community partners to build strong school-home relationships.
- Support enrollment management and retention efforts through events and programs.
Financial and Facilities Management:
- Lead budget planning and fiscal accountability in collaboration with the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
- Collaborate with campus planning, risk and compliance, and facilities teams to optimize learning environments.
Strategic Planning and Communication:
- Manage short and long-term projects, ensuring timely execution.
- Utilize data-driven decision-making to inform policies and practices.
- Communicate decisions effectively with all stakeholders.
- Consult and collaborate with the VPAA, MS/ HS Principal, and the Senior team regarding issues that impact the school at large.
School Safety and Compliance:
- Collaborate with the Director of Risk and Compliance and the Preschool and Elementary School Nurse to ensure adherence to safety protocols.
- Promote a culture of safety by maintaining compliance with policies and regulations.
- Participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace.
- Comply with the instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others, in adhering to safe work procedures.
- Take reasonable care to ensure their own safety and health and that of others.
- Report any injury, hazard or illness immediately to their Supervisor and Human Resources.
- Not place others at risk by any act or omission, not willfully or recklessly interfere with safety equipment.
- Act as a role model by demonstrating safe work behaviors.
- Identify, assess if necessary, and control hazards within the area of responsibility.
- Ensure that equipment/supplies are properly maintained.
- Maintain relevant knowledge of safety laws.
- Mandatory reporting of sexual abuse to law enforcement or child protective services, and Human Resources. Sexual abuse includes child molestation, any actual or alleged illegal or otherwise wrongful sexual conduct with a minor, and serial sexual misconduct, any actual or alleged illegal or otherwise wrongful sexual conduct with more than one victim; and committed by or alleged to have been committed by any perpetrator who is not a student of an included entity.
- Develop safe work procedures and ensure adherence to procedures.
- Ensure compliance of safety policies and procedures.
- Communicate safety issues with employees.
- Ensure that employees are provided with information, instruction, training and supervision that they need to work safely.
- Ensure that employees are aware of and abide by all relevant safety procedures.
- Encourage early reporting of incidents and forward information to Manager and Human Resources immediately.
CULTURAL COMPETENCIES
- Demonstrating Professional Body of Knowledge: A professional demonstrates an understanding of practice area knowledge and appreciates learning more about this practice area and beyond.
- Professional as a Learner: A professional engages in career-long professional learning and ongoing critical reflection to identify opportunities for improving leadership, mentoring, and collaboration. The inherent nature of a professional staff member is a keen, lifelong passion for learning, and a deep curiosity and wonder about people, events, and places.
- Fostering Effective Relationships: A professional builds positive working relationships with colleagues, other departments, and the community.
- Establishing an Inclusive Environment: A professional creates a safe, caring environment that is inclusive of and engaging for others.
- Professional as a Leader: A professional seeks leadership opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS and/or EXPERIENCE
- Graduate degree in Education or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience as a principal or senior-level administrator in an elementary school setting (independent school preferred).
- Minimum 5 years of teaching experience at the Preschool and/or Elementary level.
- Demonstrated leadership in curriculum, instruction, and faculty development.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience in budget management and fiscal planning.
- Experience in Strategic Planning.
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Reggio-Emilia method and the pedagogy of Deeper Learning
- Proficiency with Google Apps for Education and other relevant technologies.
- Willingness to embrace AI as a learning tool and resource
- A strong commitment to the mission and vision of Mid-Pacific and its support of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
WORK SCHEDULE
This is a full-time, 12-month exempt position. As a member of the senior administrative team, the role includes responsibilities during the summer months and designated school breaks. While the position typically follows a Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm schedule, the principal is expected to maintain a flexible presence to meet the dynamic needs of the school community. This includes availability for evening and weekend events, as well as responsiveness to time-sensitive matters that may arise outside of standard hours. Leadership at this level requires a sustained, proactive commitment to the school’s mission and operations beyond conventional scheduling parameters.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Our campus consists of multiple buildings on 44 hilly acres that requires frequent walking including uphill and stairs. The individual is required to talk and hear, often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel and to manipulate keys on a keyboard. The employee may be required to stand, walk, lift and carry approximately 10-15 pounds, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch or crawl. Requires close vision.
MENTAL DEMANDS
On a daily basis, must frequently problem solve, make decisions, interpret data, organize, speak, write, plan, and clearly communicate.
EQUIPMENT USE
Telephone, computer, iPad, phone – frequently;
Copier, printers and other hardware – occasionally
WORKING CONDITIONS
Indoor - frequently;
Outdoor, Loud Noise, Cold and Hot Temperatures – occasionally
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Mid-Pacific Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, marital status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.